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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3705487" data-attributes="member: 143">That question is addressed in today's (and tomorrow's) update. * * * * * Chapter 233AMURRU“RELEASE HER!” Dar shouted, his voice echoing off the confined walls of the cavern.  He shifted forward, menacingly, his sword coming up. “You would strike her down to save her?” Amurru said to him, the faintest hint of amusement in her voice.  Allera’s voice; but now that it had been pointed out to them all of them could detect the shift in mannerism, the way that the ancient lich carried herself in the familiar body of their companion.  Allera had always had a considerable force of presence inherent in her will and dedication to her calling, but that paled in comparison to that of the undead guardian.   “What do you want with us?” Talen asked, coming forward.  The others remained behind, but ready for any action.  Only Honoratius had not moved; the archmage seemed content to observe the developing exchange, her own thoughts hidden behind her usual inscrutable expression. “It was you who intruded into this place,” Amurru said.  “We who were set as guardians were entrusted with ensuring that this complex remain hidden from the eyes of the world, and that what is ensconced herein remain forever secure.  Any who threaten that mandate must be destroyed, for the good of the world.”“We came here because of terrible creatures that have been unleashed upon our people, from this place.” Talen said.  “The seals and vaults were broached from within; we did not break them.”“I know.  That is why you yet live.”“If you have hurt her in any way,” Dar growled, “I swear to you...”“Allera Hialar will be returned to you unharmed.  You have her to thank for your lives.  I have shown her what is at stake, and she has agreed to see that what we protect remains secure.”“We have our own quest,” Talen said. “Yes.  And they are linked, Talen Karedes.  For it is the taint of your foe that is responsible for the escape of the spawn of the Ravager, and the destruction thus caused to your civilization.”The companions shared a look.  “Spawn?” Shay asked. “I am limited in the aid that I can grant to your enterprise,” Amurru said.  “I have given what I can to Allera.  You may take the weapons left by the warrior here; they are of considerable power.  There is one other gift that I can provide... a power placed within my keeping, when my service began.”She stepped forward, and lifted one hand, opening it so the palm faced upward.  Within her hand there blazed a brilliant blue light, a self-contained orb of shining energy.  It cast the healer’s features into stark relief, and even those of them who had no experience with spellcasting could sense the power radiating from it. Dar frowned, but she went past him, and stopped before Talen.  “Extend your blade, sworn soldier of the Light.”Talen hesitated.  “Do not refuse this offering, knight,” Honoratius said, the first words he’d contributed since their reappearance.  Talen looked at him, and then thrust out Beatus Incendia, their light glimmering off the perfect steel length of the holy blade. Amurru seized the blade with her left hand, tightly enough to break the flesh of Allera’s fingers.  Talen started to jerk the sword back, but she held it with surprising strength, keeping it fixed between them.  The lich extended her other hand, and pressed the globe of energy into the sword.  There was a flare of energy and light, potent enough so that those nearest had to shield their eyes.  When they could see clearly again, they saw the blue light of the orb rushing up the length of the sword, flaring from the edges of the blade.  The sword’s white flames had appeared unbidden, and as they watched the blue light infused itself into the flames, forming an azure corona within the holy fire.  The blue glow reached the hilt and seeped into Talen’s hand.  The knight flinched, but did not release the weapon.  The azure glow persisted a few seconds longer, and then faded... leaving just the faint blue tinge in the sword’s fire. “What... what did you do to me?” he asked.  “Your weapon has been augmented,” Amurru said, releasing the weapon and stepping back.  She looked weary, but ignored the blood that dripped from her left hand.  Her right hand was scorched black across the palm, where it had struck the sword.  Talen opened his mouth to speak further, but the lich had already turned to face Honoratius and Alderis.  “I should take the keys from you, but the elders decreed that they should remain in the world of man, against a day where they might need to recover what was left here.  Should you find the third, you could return to this place... but mark my words; should you seek to enter the inner sanctums of this shrine, it would fall upon me to destroy you.”Honoratius nodded.  Mehlaraine said, “I have no desire to return to this place.”“You have an incredible amount of power and knowledge,” Nelan said.  “Can you give us more information... about our enemy?  You said that the two quests were connected..”“I am sorry, priest of the Father,” the lich replied.  “Once my knowledge passed far and wide across the planes, but when I accepted my duty here, my ability to see beyond the walls of this place was circumscribed.  I cannot aid you further.”  “Fine, then take us out of here, and get out of Allera,” Dar said.  He tromped across the island, and grabbed the remains of Mailliw Catspar by the front of his armor.  Bones scattered, and Selanthas helped him, collecting the scattered pieces.  Dar reached down and grabbed the ancient warrior’s longspear, while Mehlaraine recovered his sword and shield.  Amurru waited until they were ready.  “How will we know that we were successful in helping you?” Talen asked. “Your world will survive,” the lich said.  Then she spoke a word of power, and everything around them became indistinct, and reality shifted as they were transported away from the confines of the chamber. * * * * * Author’s note: the gifts provided by Amurru are as follows: Allera received a +1 inherent bonus to her Wisdom score, and the energy field that augmented Beatus Incendia is from area 3B-7, and has boosted the weapon to a +5 enhancement bonus.</blockquote>

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