A new beginning.

[Aerlyn]

Feeling a renewed sense of energy and motivation after the return of Aervir, Aerlyn wakes the group at first light. She wanted to ask Aervir about everything when she first awoke to the sound of his voice last night, but decided to let him rest after seeing the condition he was in. She had mixed feelings about seeing the gash on his face. She was horrified to know that her vision was true, but also proud to know that she had inherited the unique skill of foresight from her mother.

After awakening the group and eating a bit of rations, Aerlyn knew that there was still alot to be done. Her first priority was to find some information about her mother, so without hesitating she immediately turned to Aervir and began asking questions.

"Aervir, I'm so sorry about what happened to you. I hope that you will still assist us with what we came here for. I need to find out some information though. During your time in the keep did you happen to see any books or writings lying around? Also, do you have an idea of how many orcs or other fiends are still about? And did you happen to find out any information or hear anything about where the Crucible of St. Freya is located?"

Aerlyn decided to stop the questions at that, hoping Aervir would not be insulted with the sudden interrogation.

 

[WraithSpawn]

Seeing Aervir finally alone, Dravis approaches him. Dravis' eyes appraise Aervir and his natural suspicion(sp?) takes over.
"It's good to see you Aervir, how did you escape? I doubt the dark priest would be as foolish as to let you go. He knows that we shall not give up this fight so easily. Please Aervir. . . Enlighten me."

 

[Ceadren]

In the night nothing could be heard, all but the occasional bat flying overhead
in search for a midnight snack. The sun was still far beyond the horizon, so the
Keep was still shrouded in a gloomy darkness. The sound of a footstep in the
distance brought Caedren's head from the bow in his lap to the blackness of the
courtyard. At first, not hearing anything else, he thought it was his
imagination playing tricks. He heard it again. Standing swiftly, he grasped the
handle of his sword expecting another orc to charge him.

"Qua est unduri!" Caedren muttered under his breath in astonishment.
Seeing Aervir walking toward him, he released his white knuckle grip and
extended a welcoming hand.

"I knew you'd come." Spoke Aervir.

"I can not imagine what hell you have been through my friend." Ceadren said,
eyeing Aervir's many wounds. "But I can see that you are in need of a good rest.
Go sleep with the others. I am standing watch, nothing more will come to harm
you this night."
Caedren offered his bedroll to Aervir to ward off the nights chill. In seconds
he was fast asleep. While returning to his post, Caedren caught Aerlyn's gaze.
He raised a finger to his lips. Aerlyn understood and was soon back to sleep.

When the time came, Aerlyn woke and walked to Caedren to take her watch.

"I'll stay with you, for awhile." He said, looking over at Dravis then Aervir.

Waking to the suns brilliant rays reflecting of the distant mountains, and the
peaceful song of birds was relaxing. Caedren almost forgot where he was, but the
sight and smell of the scattered corpses of orc reminded him quickly. Stretching
the uncomfortable ground out of his shoulders he went to the others.
"Another day we live to see!" Said Caedren yawning enthusiastically. "Aervir, I
hope you slept well, as well as you could at least."

After Aerlyn's onslaught, he was hesitant to ask Aervir anymore questions. But
one lingered in his mind, so he asked.

"Aervir, what did the black priest say to you? Did he give you any insight as to
what his purpose is here? Any information you can remember will aid us in
defeating him, please remember."

OOC - How many magic missles does Aerlyn have now? Are we all fully recovered?

 

[GladiusNP]

Aervir finishes chewing a mouthful of bread, and wipes his face again. The wound on his head is still fresh and raw-looking - despite all attempts by Aervir and Dravis to heal it. He speaks slowly, answering the rapid stream questions very deliberately.

"The priest had me chained inside the chapel - he healed me to keep me alive, recognizing I was a servant of holy Aedis. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explore much more of the keep than that.

As Aervir takes another bite of his loaf, Aerlyn asks "During your time in the keep did you happen to see any books or writings lying around? Also, do you have an idea of how many orcs or other fiends are still about?"

Aervir swallows, then replies "The black priest - Tavik, was searching for such writings, but had had no luck. I saw nothing in the chapel. However, he did have a seperate living area which I did not search. All the orcs that were in the chapel seem to be out here - dead and rotting like the carrion they are." He looks around at the corpses, with a look of anger and disgust at his former captors. He then tears at his bread with his free hand, savagely twisting the loaf in two.

Aerlyn gives him a look of sympathy, pats him on the arm, and attempts to change the subject. "Did you happen to find out any information or hear anything about where the Crucible of St. Freya is located?"

The paladin starts packing away what is left of his breakfast, and answers immediately "Yes - I should have mentioned it sooner. The crucible is in the chapel. It has been..... defiled."

Caedren, who has been silently listening all of this, breaks in, saying "Aervir, what did the black priest say to you? Did he give you any insight as to what his purpose is here? Any information you can remember will aid us in defeating him, please remember."

Aervir stops his packing, and looks at Caedren, very steadily. "He seems to be searching the keep, room by room. He hasn't found what he is looking for. I think he promised Fairhill to his Orcs. He wishes to desecrate the Church in town as he has done here. The rest of the time he spoke in orcish. I think he just gave commands that I could understand to torment me. Especially when he sent out the ogre and the orc cheif to hunt the three of you down." He looks at all of you, seemingly in wonder. "Tavik was furious when they did not return - that's when he cut this mark in me."

Caedren and Aerlyn both nod, giving Aervir time to recover himself after reliving his harrowing experiences. Fallon flies lazily in, landing on Aerlyn's shoulder, and magnanimously presenting her with a dead mouse held in his beak. As she takes it, he hoots softly, very proud of himself.

Caedren checks Shadrath's sword once more. Despite its heavy use yesterday, the blade is remarkably sharp. He sheathes the blade once more, and begins to pack his bedding.

Seeing Aervir finally alone, Dravis approaches him. Dravis' eyes appraise Aervir and his natural suspicion takes over.
"It's good to see you Aervir, how did you escape? I doubt the dark priest would be as foolish as to let you go. He knows that we shall not give up this fight so easily. Please Aervir. . . Enlighten me."

Aervir stiffens - his hand going to his greatsword, and for a moment, Dravis remembers Aervir at his fiercest, staying on the wall of the keep, killing orcs, long after the rest of you were fleeing. Then the paladin seems to deflate, and he says.

"I understand Dravis, my friend. I have no proof for what I am about to say. The priest left, rousing the orcs in the Chapel, to kill you this final time. Despite the sounds of battle, it was the first time I had been free of their loathsome presence, and I fell asleep, exhausted. I awoke to see the altar, and the crucible on it bathed in a soft light - save for where the defiling filth was smeared across it. The light slowly dwindled away, and only then did I realise that my chains had fallen from me. But I understand your doubts. Take my sword, if you fear I am not myself."

Aervir finishes, and offers Dravis his greatsword.

 

[Ceadren]

“Done.” Caedren said rising from a crouch, swinging his bedroll over his shoulder. Feeling it was time to get on with the day he spoke to the group.

“I think we should go to the Chapel and recover the Crucible of St. Freya.”

 

[Aerlyn]

"I agree with Caedren. We should get going soon. I need to search the Chapel for any documents that may mention my mother. Perhaps we should break up into groups." Aerlyn said as she finished packing the rest of her belongings.

 

[Ceadren]

Picture

OOC - This is the Keep. I used paint, that's why it's not very good. To the left is the chapel and to the right is the tower. The color used to be better but i had to save it in 16-bit color because the file size was too large. If you squint it looks better!

 

[WraithSpawn]

Dravis' eyes lock upon Aervir's for a moment and they say nothing. Then Dravis raises his hand and pushes the hilt of the greatsword back to Aervir.
"Don't be a fool, you know we need your help. You'd do the same in my position Aervir. Escaping from a dark priest is a wonder in itself, doing it with nary a scratch. . . a miracle. Now rise, as Caedren says, and join the fight, the Gods are with us today."
Dravis stands and surveys the keep once again, his eyes distant.
"Nay Aerlyn, we shall not split up, for if one or two of us fights this dark priest, surely we will all perish at his hand. We shall storm the keep, but first we must free the chapel, for the Gods will surely dismiss us if we do not save their house from the dark priests' touch."
Dravis quickly picks up his belongings and shoulders his pack. He smothers the fire and, before making his way, stretches and the whistles loudly, waiting for the reply of Drilk. A loud howl pierces the air and Dravis, satisfied with this response, is ready.

 

[GladiusNP]

(OOC- I'm assuming you're all headed to the chapel, as per Dravis' request.)

Caedren is the first to enter the chapel, followed closely by Aervir. Aerlyn and Dravis follow soon after. You are now in the main room of the chapel. Directly opposite the door a large curtain hangs across the width of the room. In front of it sits an altar, atop of which you see the crucible of Freya. The pews are splintered and overturned and a small fire pit sits in the middle of one of the banks of pews. Piles of wall hangings and tapestries seemed to have served as makeshift bedding. On the walls various scribbles and runes are graffitied on the wood.
The altar itself is smeared with blood, much of it old and blackened but some seems more fresh. The crucible, as you look inside, seems to have served as a holder for a thick, squat, black candle. Aervir steps back when he sees the candle.

"That is a thing of evil! Take care."

 

[GladiusNP]

Addendum: There's a spiralling wrought iron staircase close by the altar.