Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="simmo" data-source="post: 1385491" data-attributes="member: 9744">chapter 2 Four the Love of Tomeri, The Spirits Within"They are a curious race of creatures that inhabit the misty shores and live in huge tree-like structures made of this stone." Kendrick had memorised the description and closed his eyes to recall what the strange sage had told him. "They hang on it like leaves on a tree. They are metallic creatures with very thin arms and legs as well as having red glowing eyes. They don't harm others unless their home is threatened. But it is said that the stone is able to hold on to spirits for some time." Having finished his description, the Mercykiller recalled the strange meeting that he'd had with the squat, amorphous creature in the Hive that was human-like in shape. It wore a hat and long coat and appeared to have very thin metal rods piercing its body. But the most memorable part was the strange stick-like pipe that it smoked. "The sage that I spoke to was very knowledgeable about these creatures. His name was Ripperibo." Kendrick paused for a moment to think of a suitable description of a creature that looked like an artist's interpretation of a kyton. Finally he settled on: "It had a great deal of knowledge.”“So if these are spirits then that fits another piece of the puzzle." Kendrick was conscious of the passage of time and keen for the conversation to move on. "Perhaps if we are supposed to collect four forms of love...” “Perhaps the love that we're talking about is the love of these spirits.” Serena finished his sentence quietly."Exactly, Kendrick replied much louder. "What if these small gemstones allow us to capture or invite a passing spirit? They seem to come to us rather than us looking for them.”“I have walked around Sigil a bit and it does not seem that looking around for example gets me anywhere.” Serena briefly recalled the days of confusion; trying to figure out even a small detail of her quest as a Chosen of Tomeri.“Exactly. I knew that it would be quite challenging. But maybe if we are supposed to find people who represent forms of love and they come to us..." Kendrick smiled as he fingered his locket. "Does that make any sense? Or have been staring at the walls for too long thinking about this?”“No, I understand. In which case I have two,” Serena stated.“OK, that makes sense. Who is in your Garden?" He asked keen to hear more, but realised right away that it was a sensitive question. "You don't have to tell me of course.”“A woman from the hive." Serena volunteered the information gladly. "Her brother was killed by Xaosmen and they caught her as well.”“She was quite young?” Kendrick asked quietly.“Yes, a teenager." Serena stated sadly. "And there is also my father”Kendrick squeezed her hand and tried to reassure her. “And there is no one else in your garden?”“Just myself and Zakar go in there.” Serena glanced briefly at the tall, golden furred hound archon standing in the corner and drew comfort from his presence.“Zakar can go in there as well?” Kendrick asked sounding very surprised.“Zakar comes from there.” Serena explained.The hound archon who'd been staring at the walls impassively turned to look at the Mercykiller with a penetrating gaze. The fur stood up on his arms and a low rumble was building in his chest.“What is wrong?” asked Serena.“Nothing, my Lady.” Zakar said in his usual growling voice, holding back the strong emotions boiling within.“No, really. Tell me.” Serena smiled at him warmly.“I live but to serve you, my Lady.” Zakar bowed and clasped his fist to his heart.“Umm, why don't you serve me by telling me what is wrong?” Serena asked in a sweet tone, laced with a commanding voice of a Heart Seer of Tomeri.“Kendrick is implying that I am one of the four forms of love, my Lady.” Zakar stated, but it was unclear whether he was angry or not.“Then wouldn't I be the fourth?” Serena asked.“No, my Lady." The hound archon corrected her gently. "You do not inhabit the Garden. You simply are the Garden. But you are more than the sum of its parts.”“So I have your loyalty...” began the seer.“If Kendrick is correct then I am the eternal part serves and guards forever." Zakar had been following every word of the conversation of the beginning and had already come to some conclusions before Kendrick had pulled him in to the conversation. "Your father is the one who represents the selfless love. Which sacrifices itself for another. Though it does not always reveal itself. He is the one who give anything to make sure that you are safe. And Loved.""The girl represents passion, love of life. She was taken when she was young and her passion for love lives on. You are missing only one form of love.” Zakar sighed.“Mature love.” Serena said, clutching at her pendant.“That is correct.” Zakar replied sadly.“Thank you Zakar.” Serena was about to turn back to her Mercykiller friend, but the hound archon was not yet finished.“Perhaps you will find it in a place where there is much caring.” Zakar said quietly.“Haven.” Serena and Kendrick both said at the same time.“That is possible, my Lady." He straightened his back and stared at the walls again. "The will of Tomeri is not mine to see.”Serena touched Zakar's arm and he smiled briefly with his large canine teeth.“It all makes sense now." Kendrick sat back in his chair. "Well, As much as anything in the church of Tomeri makes sense.”“You find it difficult to understand?” Serena asked turning from Zakar back to Kendrick.“I find it very difficult to understand.” The Mercykiller replied emphatically.“It's strange that some of it is difficult to understand. But at the core it's...” The seer was in the process of explaining her viewpoint when Kendrick interrupted her.“Oh, it does reveal itself." He spoke quickly. "But I don't know if you noticed when the twelve of us where standing there.. the others who had gone through the whole initiation – all looked terrified and confused.”“Yes and then there was the two of us.” Serena smiled, reminiscing about that terrifying and confusing day.“Exactly, I don't think that we are that different to the others.” He was grinning from ear to ear.“Oh course she is confusing. She is a goddess." Serena felt uplifted now that she knew that there were others who were struggling with the quest the same as her. Not that they were struggling, but simply that they were all in it together. "How are we supposed to understand her? But at the same time the ethos is very simple.”“Exactly.” Kendrick replied. He was about to say more, but saw that Arianna had stood up and folded her scrolls up.“I'm sorry but your time is up." The Harmonium Arcane Investigator unlocked the door and held it open for Serena. "I must return Kendrick to his cell. I hope that your visit has been fruitful.”“Very, thank you. I love you Kendrick." She embraced the tall, blonde warrior and he hugged her back. "I'll see you soon.”</blockquote>

Verification