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The Gate Pass Irregulars: A War of the Burning Sky Campaign
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<blockquote data-quote="Cafu" data-source="post: 6236595" data-attributes="member: 6692807"><p>The next morning, we prepared various spells. We were all curiously refreshed as if finally getting a night’s sleep had reinvigorated us; I felt as if I had even more energy and than normal and was able to learn even more spells than usual. It was exhilarating.</p><p> </p><p> Through my magic, I was able to discover the nature of the various items we had obtained. Then, while we ate Felix’s magical breakfast, we began to discuss major decisions we had to make.</p><p> </p><p>As John was chewing, he mused:</p><p> </p><p>“I’m tempted to take that pact Bright Shadow is offering.”</p><p> </p><p>Longhelim raised his eyebrows as he buttered a piece of fresh bread:</p><p> </p><p>“Are you sure? Once you commit, there is no going back. I don’t think that the scimitar understands any game that you may be playing. If you die, your soul goes into one of those gems; that’s the deal. You won’t be able to talk your way around that one.”</p><p> </p><p>The rogue swallowed:</p><p> </p><p>“Well, yes, but it’s not exactly as if I get into many fights. I usually skulk in the back anyway, providing support and other functions. Let me think about it a little more.”</p><p> </p><p>He went back to his chewing.</p><p> </p><p>I was full so I wondered over to the window and stared out into the distance. As I did, I thought I saw some movement. Curious, I concentrated and indeed, there was someone or something out there. It was the first movement I had seen here with the exception of Rhuarc. I called to the others and everyone rushed to the windows.</p><p> </p><p>Drudge had the best eyes of all of us:</p><p> </p><p>“I can’t see who it is but it can only be the Ragesians or the Shahalesti; I can’t think of anyone else; it’s too many people to be the Taranesti. They’re not moving very fast though. We still have plenty of time. We need to make some decisions though.”</p><p> </p><p>Looking at Longhelim, I said:</p><p> </p><p>“I’m pretty certain it’s the Shahalesti.”</p><p> </p><p>He looked back and replied:</p><p> </p><p>“Yes, I told them what we were planning to do. That’s how I was able to get access to Liat; I said previously I would not fight the elves, especially when they had good outsiders in support. So, I made a deal; the same kind of deal as John did. Yes, they were able to track us. I gambled that we would recover the Torch before they arrived. I won and lost. We have the Torch but it’s broken. I didn’t realise you could break things like that.”</p><p> </p><p>Our conversation was interrupted when Rhuarc’s corpse suddenly sat up!</p><p> </p><p>Felix cursed and fumbled for his holy symbol, ready to blast it into oblivion when a sepulchruous voice emerged from it:</p><p> </p><p>“What do you want of me?”</p><p> </p><p>John stepped forward and said:</p><p> </p><p>“How do we repair the Torch of the Burning Sky and make it whole?”</p><p> </p><p>The corpse continued in the same tone:</p><p> </p><p>“The Torch is powered by souls. I tore them out. To re-forge the Torch, you must go to the Temple of Echoed Souls and pass the tests. Once you succeed, you will make it whole once again.”</p><p> </p><p>As soon as it said that, the corpse collapsed.</p><p> </p><p>Felix turned to John and drily said:</p><p> </p><p>“I take you have a new partner then?”</p><p> </p><p>The rogue replied:</p><p> </p><p>“With the elves on the way, we ran out of time; we either tried to fix the Torch here and now in the Haunted Forest or gave up the chance forever.”</p><p> </p><p>“According to the sword anyway,” I added. “I think it’s lying because it serves its purpose to do so but it’s too late now. You entered into the Pact and we had better take advantage of that. I just hope you know what you’re doing.</p><p> </p><p>We had better cast spells and fly out of here. I should think that if we go into the caves, we will emerge into the forest as before.”</p><p> </p><p>Rapidly, we cast various spells, or “powered up” as we called it. Then we turned into mist and flew rapidly towards the caves. We did get closer to the group of humanoids and did indeed confirm that they were Shahalesti elves. Then we moved into the caves and turned into our solid selves. Once inside, we did not let the shadows guide us so we were shunted out quite quickly. Thankfully, nothing within attempted to stop us this time.</p><p> </p><p>We emerged some way further upstream on the river. Quickly, we turned into mist again and flew above and towards the Temple, landing just below the doors.</p><p> </p><p>As described previously, two separate staircases led to a balcony set into a mountain side. Carved in the mountain was an intricately carved pair of doors. However, now that we were closer, we could also see that there were four bells on each side, built along the staircases; eight bells in total. I remembered that the number eight was symbolically significant to this monastic order; something to do with the eight elements and the fact that they needed the help of eight other individuals.</p><p> </p><p>We became solid again. As soon as we did so, I felt that we were being magically watched.</p><p> </p><p>“’Ware! Magical watchers!” I shouted at the others.</p><p> </p><p>The warriors immediately began to look around drawing weapons but I added:</p><p> </p><p>“We’re being magically watched from a distance; I don’t know who or from where but it’s unlikely to be nearby otherwise they wouldn’t use this kind of magic; but lots of people know where we are now. I felt at least four separate magical watchers.”</p><p> </p><p>“Better get going then,” John said.</p><p> </p><p>I had cast a little cantrip and said:</p><p> </p><p>“The bells and stairs are magical. The balcony is not radiating anything though. It would be better to fly up there and avoid those steps, just in case.”</p><p> </p><p>We flew up to the balcony, where John cast a spell which unlocked the doors and pushed them open. These revealed a hallway, along with a mirror facing us. My cantrip also showed that everything inside the Temple was magical. So, John carefully searched the first section of the hall way but finding nothing, stepped in. As soon as he did so, eight golden rings glowed on the floor and the apparition of an aged map became visible inside the mirror.</p><p> </p><p>It began to speak immediately:</p><p> </p><p>“Candidates, you must be warned. The candidate called Forty One now controls this Temple and has perverted it to his will. He will try to destroy you. We will try to hold against him but he is strong. You must defeat him and thus cleanse the Temple and gain transcendence. If you succeed, you will become Echoed Souls.</p><p> </p><p>There will be Three Tests, each a trial of both your character and your soul; remember, no one is alone and you must share your powers with each other; only then will you be able to triumph in the tests. You must think like yourselves but also like each other; if you will it, you can speak without talking; if you will it you can fight without knowing; if you will it, you can enchant without power; but the soul is all and your will is a part of your soul. Share your soul among everyone and let everyone share their soul with you. Only then will you triumph.</p><p> </p><p>Now go, go into the meditation chambers and prepare. Meditate and prepare and practice in sharing your souls. The meditation chambers are in these corridors.”</p><p> </p><p>He motioned left and right with his arms. My attention was riveted to him that I had not noticed the two side corridors.</p><p> </p><p>“Once you feel ready, step into the mirror and the tests will begin. The first is the Trial of the Bell; the Second is the Trial of the Offering and the Third is the Trial of the Self. Above all, remember, be true to yourselves.”</p><p> </p><p>This figure then disappeared and was replaced by another; this one was far more unpleasant; younger, muscular, bald and wearing only a loincloth but the strangest thing about him was that his arms resembled those of a bear, claws and all. In fact, he reminded me most of our fight against the mad druid, Lee Sidoneth, who also exhibited the arms of a bear when we fought him, and somehow channeled the strength of the animal at the same time. I had an awful feeling that this Forty One could do the same.</p><p> </p><p>He spoke, in a deep voice and a contemptuous and arrogant tone:</p><p> </p><p>“So, you’re the latest group. I will destroy you! You are the walking dead!”</p><p> </p><p>After that, he disappeared.</p><p> </p><p>It took us a little time to gather everything in our thoughts. I was still remembering everything else that the first monk had told us. I turned it over in my mind again and again, trying to work out exactly what he was saying and also what he was telling us to do. Forty One’s threats were meaningless. We had faced other dangers and we would either prevail or not against him. However, his words were insignificant.</p><p> </p><p>Drudge snorted:</p><p> </p><p>“Well, does anyone have any ideas just what is going on here? What was the old monk on about? I know what the other one was saying. He just wants to kill us! That one’s easy and he’ll just have to join the queue but the other one?”</p><p> </p><p>Longhelim had actually taken out his pipe and was stuffing it with tobacco:</p><p> </p><p>“Faden, you have any ideas? I think I have an inkling but I’m not sure.”</p><p> </p><p>I made an effort of will and tried to project my voice into Drudge’s head, speaking:</p><p> </p><p>“I’m trying to…..”</p><p> </p><p>The ranger jumped:</p><p> </p><p>“What was that? How did you do that? I didn’t even see you cast a spell!”</p><p> </p><p>I replied:</p><p> </p><p>“It is the innate magic of this place; I think it allows us to share our powers. One of these is to talk mind to mind if we will it and concentrate. I think I can only do it to you but you may want to try with someone else.”</p><p> </p><p>I stopped and saw that Drudge concentrated and Felix looked startled. Then I heard John’s voice in my head:</p><p> </p><p>“This is a nifty trick. Do you think we could do this all the time; it would be really handy!”</p><p> </p><p>I answered him in my mind, to keep up the practice.</p><p> </p><p>“Well, I know of a spell that is similar but it is quite complicated. I was thinking of trying to research it but as usual, there’s been no time.</p><p> </p><p>Anyway, look, as I was saying, I think the magic of this place allows us to share our powers; so you could cast some of my more powerful spells if I grant you the power; and I could use the bow in the same manner as Drudge if he grants me the power; in the same manner, Felix could use the sword in as skillfully as Victor. What we need to do is concentrate and practice. It’s going to take a different way of thinking and quite a bit of effort before we get this going. Once we do though, it’ll be a really nifty trick, as you say.”</p><p> </p><p>Then I said aloud:</p><p> </p><p>“I think we should retire to these meditation chambers and see if we somehow gain more focus.”</p><p> </p><p>John had already pre-empted us and had looked in the various rooms while I had been distracted, trying to work it all out:</p><p> </p><p>“Those rooms are all pretty similar. There are eight of them; makes sense I suppose. Anyway, all of them have a bed, table and bowl of water with various bits and pieces. I think they’re meant to be symbolic but who knows? Anyway, the first has a candle with flint and steel, the next an empty clay flower vase, next is a golden nugget, next is folded game mat, next is a pomegranate, followed by the lower half of an hourglass but without any sand, the next is odd in that it doesn’t have anything while the last one has a recorder. Any ideas as to what they mean?”</p><p> </p><p>Longhelim replied:</p><p> </p><p>“A couple are obvious; the pomegranate could be life; the hourglass is likely to be time and the candle with flint and steel is likely to be fire. After that, well they will correspond to the eight elements that are so significant to these monks; anyway, we should go into the rooms and meditate.”</p><p> </p><p>So, taking the paladin’s advice, we all went into various rooms. I went into the room with the candle, flint and steel. I settled myself onto the floor and then concentrated; one my previous adventures, on our future, on the Resistance; on the knowledge I had about the Order of Echoed Souls; on the Torch. Absolutely nothing happened. No reaction, no inspiration, no indication, nothing.</p><p> </p><p>Disappointed, I left the room and found everyone else already out.</p><p> </p><p>“Anything Faden?” asked Longhelim.</p><p> </p><p>I shook my head.</p><p> </p><p>Drudge muttered:</p><p> </p><p>“Waste of time.”</p><p> </p><p>John flicked up a nugget of gold.</p><p> </p><p>“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.”</p><p> </p><p>I just said:</p><p> </p><p>“Well, it seems quite plain that none of us knows how to meditate. Be that as it may, we’d better go ahead with this first test then: The Trial of the Bell.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cafu, post: 6236595, member: 6692807"] The next morning, we prepared various spells. We were all curiously refreshed as if finally getting a night’s sleep had reinvigorated us; I felt as if I had even more energy and than normal and was able to learn even more spells than usual. It was exhilarating. Through my magic, I was able to discover the nature of the various items we had obtained. Then, while we ate Felix’s magical breakfast, we began to discuss major decisions we had to make. As John was chewing, he mused: “I’m tempted to take that pact Bright Shadow is offering.” Longhelim raised his eyebrows as he buttered a piece of fresh bread: “Are you sure? Once you commit, there is no going back. I don’t think that the scimitar understands any game that you may be playing. If you die, your soul goes into one of those gems; that’s the deal. You won’t be able to talk your way around that one.” The rogue swallowed: “Well, yes, but it’s not exactly as if I get into many fights. I usually skulk in the back anyway, providing support and other functions. Let me think about it a little more.” He went back to his chewing. I was full so I wondered over to the window and stared out into the distance. As I did, I thought I saw some movement. Curious, I concentrated and indeed, there was someone or something out there. It was the first movement I had seen here with the exception of Rhuarc. I called to the others and everyone rushed to the windows. Drudge had the best eyes of all of us: “I can’t see who it is but it can only be the Ragesians or the Shahalesti; I can’t think of anyone else; it’s too many people to be the Taranesti. They’re not moving very fast though. We still have plenty of time. We need to make some decisions though.” Looking at Longhelim, I said: “I’m pretty certain it’s the Shahalesti.” He looked back and replied: “Yes, I told them what we were planning to do. That’s how I was able to get access to Liat; I said previously I would not fight the elves, especially when they had good outsiders in support. So, I made a deal; the same kind of deal as John did. Yes, they were able to track us. I gambled that we would recover the Torch before they arrived. I won and lost. We have the Torch but it’s broken. I didn’t realise you could break things like that.” Our conversation was interrupted when Rhuarc’s corpse suddenly sat up! Felix cursed and fumbled for his holy symbol, ready to blast it into oblivion when a sepulchruous voice emerged from it: “What do you want of me?” John stepped forward and said: “How do we repair the Torch of the Burning Sky and make it whole?” The corpse continued in the same tone: “The Torch is powered by souls. I tore them out. To re-forge the Torch, you must go to the Temple of Echoed Souls and pass the tests. Once you succeed, you will make it whole once again.” As soon as it said that, the corpse collapsed. Felix turned to John and drily said: “I take you have a new partner then?” The rogue replied: “With the elves on the way, we ran out of time; we either tried to fix the Torch here and now in the Haunted Forest or gave up the chance forever.” “According to the sword anyway,” I added. “I think it’s lying because it serves its purpose to do so but it’s too late now. You entered into the Pact and we had better take advantage of that. I just hope you know what you’re doing. We had better cast spells and fly out of here. I should think that if we go into the caves, we will emerge into the forest as before.” Rapidly, we cast various spells, or “powered up” as we called it. Then we turned into mist and flew rapidly towards the caves. We did get closer to the group of humanoids and did indeed confirm that they were Shahalesti elves. Then we moved into the caves and turned into our solid selves. Once inside, we did not let the shadows guide us so we were shunted out quite quickly. Thankfully, nothing within attempted to stop us this time. We emerged some way further upstream on the river. Quickly, we turned into mist again and flew above and towards the Temple, landing just below the doors. As described previously, two separate staircases led to a balcony set into a mountain side. Carved in the mountain was an intricately carved pair of doors. However, now that we were closer, we could also see that there were four bells on each side, built along the staircases; eight bells in total. I remembered that the number eight was symbolically significant to this monastic order; something to do with the eight elements and the fact that they needed the help of eight other individuals. We became solid again. As soon as we did so, I felt that we were being magically watched. “’Ware! Magical watchers!” I shouted at the others. The warriors immediately began to look around drawing weapons but I added: “We’re being magically watched from a distance; I don’t know who or from where but it’s unlikely to be nearby otherwise they wouldn’t use this kind of magic; but lots of people know where we are now. I felt at least four separate magical watchers.” “Better get going then,” John said. I had cast a little cantrip and said: “The bells and stairs are magical. The balcony is not radiating anything though. It would be better to fly up there and avoid those steps, just in case.” We flew up to the balcony, where John cast a spell which unlocked the doors and pushed them open. These revealed a hallway, along with a mirror facing us. My cantrip also showed that everything inside the Temple was magical. So, John carefully searched the first section of the hall way but finding nothing, stepped in. As soon as he did so, eight golden rings glowed on the floor and the apparition of an aged map became visible inside the mirror. It began to speak immediately: “Candidates, you must be warned. The candidate called Forty One now controls this Temple and has perverted it to his will. He will try to destroy you. We will try to hold against him but he is strong. You must defeat him and thus cleanse the Temple and gain transcendence. If you succeed, you will become Echoed Souls. There will be Three Tests, each a trial of both your character and your soul; remember, no one is alone and you must share your powers with each other; only then will you be able to triumph in the tests. You must think like yourselves but also like each other; if you will it, you can speak without talking; if you will it you can fight without knowing; if you will it, you can enchant without power; but the soul is all and your will is a part of your soul. Share your soul among everyone and let everyone share their soul with you. Only then will you triumph. Now go, go into the meditation chambers and prepare. Meditate and prepare and practice in sharing your souls. The meditation chambers are in these corridors.” He motioned left and right with his arms. My attention was riveted to him that I had not noticed the two side corridors. “Once you feel ready, step into the mirror and the tests will begin. The first is the Trial of the Bell; the Second is the Trial of the Offering and the Third is the Trial of the Self. Above all, remember, be true to yourselves.” This figure then disappeared and was replaced by another; this one was far more unpleasant; younger, muscular, bald and wearing only a loincloth but the strangest thing about him was that his arms resembled those of a bear, claws and all. In fact, he reminded me most of our fight against the mad druid, Lee Sidoneth, who also exhibited the arms of a bear when we fought him, and somehow channeled the strength of the animal at the same time. I had an awful feeling that this Forty One could do the same. He spoke, in a deep voice and a contemptuous and arrogant tone: “So, you’re the latest group. I will destroy you! You are the walking dead!” After that, he disappeared. It took us a little time to gather everything in our thoughts. I was still remembering everything else that the first monk had told us. I turned it over in my mind again and again, trying to work out exactly what he was saying and also what he was telling us to do. Forty One’s threats were meaningless. We had faced other dangers and we would either prevail or not against him. However, his words were insignificant. Drudge snorted: “Well, does anyone have any ideas just what is going on here? What was the old monk on about? I know what the other one was saying. He just wants to kill us! That one’s easy and he’ll just have to join the queue but the other one?” Longhelim had actually taken out his pipe and was stuffing it with tobacco: “Faden, you have any ideas? I think I have an inkling but I’m not sure.” I made an effort of will and tried to project my voice into Drudge’s head, speaking: “I’m trying to…..” The ranger jumped: “What was that? How did you do that? I didn’t even see you cast a spell!” I replied: “It is the innate magic of this place; I think it allows us to share our powers. One of these is to talk mind to mind if we will it and concentrate. I think I can only do it to you but you may want to try with someone else.” I stopped and saw that Drudge concentrated and Felix looked startled. Then I heard John’s voice in my head: “This is a nifty trick. Do you think we could do this all the time; it would be really handy!” I answered him in my mind, to keep up the practice. “Well, I know of a spell that is similar but it is quite complicated. I was thinking of trying to research it but as usual, there’s been no time. Anyway, look, as I was saying, I think the magic of this place allows us to share our powers; so you could cast some of my more powerful spells if I grant you the power; and I could use the bow in the same manner as Drudge if he grants me the power; in the same manner, Felix could use the sword in as skillfully as Victor. What we need to do is concentrate and practice. It’s going to take a different way of thinking and quite a bit of effort before we get this going. Once we do though, it’ll be a really nifty trick, as you say.” Then I said aloud: “I think we should retire to these meditation chambers and see if we somehow gain more focus.” John had already pre-empted us and had looked in the various rooms while I had been distracted, trying to work it all out: “Those rooms are all pretty similar. There are eight of them; makes sense I suppose. Anyway, all of them have a bed, table and bowl of water with various bits and pieces. I think they’re meant to be symbolic but who knows? Anyway, the first has a candle with flint and steel, the next an empty clay flower vase, next is a golden nugget, next is folded game mat, next is a pomegranate, followed by the lower half of an hourglass but without any sand, the next is odd in that it doesn’t have anything while the last one has a recorder. Any ideas as to what they mean?” Longhelim replied: “A couple are obvious; the pomegranate could be life; the hourglass is likely to be time and the candle with flint and steel is likely to be fire. After that, well they will correspond to the eight elements that are so significant to these monks; anyway, we should go into the rooms and meditate.” So, taking the paladin’s advice, we all went into various rooms. I went into the room with the candle, flint and steel. I settled myself onto the floor and then concentrated; one my previous adventures, on our future, on the Resistance; on the knowledge I had about the Order of Echoed Souls; on the Torch. Absolutely nothing happened. No reaction, no inspiration, no indication, nothing. Disappointed, I left the room and found everyone else already out. “Anything Faden?” asked Longhelim. I shook my head. Drudge muttered: “Waste of time.” John flicked up a nugget of gold. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” I just said: “Well, it seems quite plain that none of us knows how to meditate. Be that as it may, we’d better go ahead with this first test then: The Trial of the Bell.” [/QUOTE]
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