The Psionicle, Part X

[GnomeWorks]

The priestess nods at your request, and waits silently as you usher them into the temple.

"The bodies of the fallen will be... tended to by the acolytes." As she speaks, two robed young men come out of the normal doorway, armed with stretchers; they proceed to silently and gracefully place the bodies upon them, and carry them into the next room.

She gestures for the group to enter the room...

Inside is a moderately-sized room. A clean wooden table sits at the far end, with a single chair behind it; throughout the room are situated a dozen or so chairs, and each of you finds a seat easily enough. As the last of you enters, the door closes behind you.

The priestess takes a seat at the desk, and waits patiently for each of you to seat yourselves.

"This room is my private meeting room." She says. "None other than those present will hear your words. Begin as you will."

 

[Jarval]

Taking a seat, Jansson starts.

"Shardorn was with us on the orders of the council. We search for the parts of the Psionical, and she was aiding us in this goal. However, a sorcerer by the name of Jirlai has dogged our steps since we started our search, and he was responsible for Shardorn's death. She seemed to know this man, and I thought that you might be familiar with his name. Jirlai is now also accompanied by a githyanki of some power."

 

[GnomeWorks]

The priestess closes her eyes, her brow furrowing in thought, and says nothing for several long moments.

"When Shardorn first came to us," She says slowly, "she told us of her history. She had worked with Jirlai, who seemed to be little more than a mercenary - hardly worthy of our notice. However, she then mentioned why she left him... a githyanki by the name of Ratheqar."

"She did not tell us what Ratheqar had done, only that he was a terrible being. She said that she was afraid of him, and what he had done, and what he could do. Her faith in the goddess had been shaken, though we did what we could, and she recovered... she was then sent to serve as a representative of Rashida at a small village, where I presume that you met her."

"What knowledge do you seek to gain?"

 

[Jarval]

"You've already given me one thing I wished to know: the name Ratheqar. He's responsible for the deaths of four of my companions, although one was brought back to the world of the living by a miracle." Jansson hesitates a moment, unsure as to how is next request is going to be taken, but continues despite his doubt.

"Speaking of such miracles, I would inquire if any of your order are capable of such a feat. The Yuani-Ti healer who revived my friend indicated that magic of such magnitude is costly and not without risk, but if Shardorn or Desimus could be brought back I would be forever in debt to your church..."

 

[GnomeWorks]

"The Yuan-ti healer is correct." The priestess says. "And it is not a task to be taken lightly. There are some here who can ask the goddess of such a thing, myself among them."

"I do not know what faith you belong to, but you seem to have a good enough heart. It shall be done as you ask... but you must do something in return. What you must do, is this: You must follow this quest, the construction of the Psionicle, to the very end, and let no event that befalls you detract you from it. You must let no other goals cloud your mind, regardless of how important they are or may seem... the completion of the Psionicle must come above all else."

She looks into Jansson's eyes, her gaze disturbingly piercing. "Will you commit yourself to what we ask of you?"

OoC: Dalamar - if Lornes did not teach you the language, Kloranth also knows the language in question, and would've been willing to teach you along the way.

 

[Zhure]

Osius

Osius looks around while seated, obviously not comfortable in the inner sanctum of a house of worship.

 

[Dalamar]

Syld follows the conversation half-heartedly. That is, until the priestess says that she can possibly bring Shardorn back. From then on, his focus is unwavering.

OoC: That means Syld can start reading at least one of the books he picked up (he didn't check the other's language back then). What's the name of the language?

 

[GnomeWorks]

OoC: The language is called Lotharie.

 

[Jarval]

Jansson smiles slightly at the priestess's words.

"You ask me to devote myself to a path to which I am already committed. I will gladly place the reconstruction of the Psionicle above all else, for it is not only Jirlai and his allies who seek it. The Ithilid have returned to the world, and would use such an artifact to dominate the world. I can see there being no more important duty that to keep such power from their grasp.

"If you can restore my companions to life, I will gladly give my service to your order. The task you ask of me could be of no greater importance, and from what Shardorn has told me, your order seems to serve the cause of good. My sword and my mind are yours to command."

 

[GnomeWorks]

"This is not a laughing matter." The priestess says, her eyes and expression grim. "It is important that you take this oath, and keep it. The completion of the Psionicle comes before all else. I believe, young halfling, that in the future, there will come a time when you must choose between following you and your friends' desires, and continuing the attempt to complete the Psionicle. If we do this for you, you must choose the path that will lead to its completion."

"We do not ask for your service." She says, her tone slightly softer. "Nor is it our place to command you. You will make the choice to do as we ask, or not. We would not lightly return Shardorn from her rightfully-earned rest unless we had assurance that you would not turn from this task."

"I cannot, however, guarantee your other companion's return." She says. "The goddess chooses whether or not to grant rebirth, not those praying... if she chooses not to, there is nothing we can do. I hope that you understand that, and that even if we fail, that we will still require that you will complete the Psionicle, and pursue that goal above all others."

"Is there anything else?"