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Story Hour
The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus (A pogre storyhour) Episode Fifteen
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<blockquote data-quote="pogre" data-source="post: 7201330" data-attributes="member: 6588"><p><strong>Episode Fourteen</strong></p><p></p><p>The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus</p><p></p><p>Episode Fourteen</p><p></p><p>For the next couple of days I avoided the rebel encampment and spent my time aboard <em>Molly’s Folly</em> pouring over the correspondence that we had discovered at the Doom Speakers outpost. It took some time to understand the rhythm of the letters. The syntax had a strange cadence and the phrases seemed packed with underlying meaning. Eventually, I began to decipher the obtuse wording and could ascertain the outpost was one point of a complicated web of a shadow structure. Then I saw the blasphemy, the heresy! The Doom Speakers were trying to use the solemn Monastery of Contemplation to draw power for their nefarious schemes. This most holy site of Kord was being defiled!</p><p></p><p>The Monastery of Contemplation was founded on the site where Kord had tried to seduce Fharlanghn. The goddess tricked Kord and Kord wept. The site on the mountain was revered as a holy site, and eventually, the monastery was built there. Followers of Kord came from far and wide to stay and contemplate their own faults. I had never personally been to the monastery, although I have faults, none required the sort of tortuous self-examination the Monastery of Contemplation demanded. Nonetheless, I was incensed that this very holy refuge of Kord was being so abused!</p><p></p><p>I informed my companions of my discovery and to my delight they were only too happy to leave our sorry bunch of rebels behind to right this injustice! While they were not of the church, they could see this abominable state could not stand! After a lengthy explanation of the history of the monastery and my belief of what the cult of Doom Speakers was up to - there were only a couple of questions to be answered:</p><p></p><p>“Are we going to kill things?” Thock asked.</p><p></p><p>“Almost certainly,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“I’m in,” Thock said.</p><p></p><p>We hired a carpenter’s apprentice, Egbert, to serve as Molly’s ship carpenter and set sail for the northern Flinty Hills.</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>I continued to study the correspondence as we journeyed towards the Flinty Hills. I saw numerous references to the Prince of Darkness, which I initially took to mean the master of the Gaping Maw, the Sibilant Beast, Maker of the Death Knights, or Ahmon-Ibor (He Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken). I needed another opinion and asked Faithless to consult the passages that were troubling me.</p><p>“Initially, I thought these were references to the Sibilant Beast, but now I’m not sure,” I said.</p><p></p><p>“Prince of Darkness does sound like Demogorgon,” she replied.</p><p></p><p>“SHHHHH, his name must not be spoken!” I admonished her.</p><p></p><p>“Well, what do you want me to call Demogorgon?” she asked.</p><p></p><p>“Now, you are intentionally goading me! Master of the Gaping Maw or Ahmon-Ibor would be more appropriate to use,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“Too much trouble - why don’t I just call Demogorgon ‘Daddy Darkness’ or ‘D.G.’?”</p><p></p><p>“Please stop saying his formal name - D.G. is fine,” I tried to remain cool, because I could see the delight Faithless got from my reaction to her blasphemies.</p><p></p><p>“You know you bestow power on D.G. by refusing to say his name. Show me why you are doubting this is one of his cults.”</p><p></p><p>I read the passages of the correspondence to her and she thoughtfully listened. FInally, she stood up and said, “I think you are right Lucius. There is no mention of duality, no reference to those who swim in the dark, basically none of the hallmarks of Demog… D.G.”</p><p></p><p>“Who or what do you think they are referring to?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“No idea. None of the big fiends for sure. Probably some archaic, Chthonic deity who could care less that it has a cult.”</p><p></p><p>The consideration of such dark matters was taxing and I resolved that all that mattered was that the cult served an evil purpose.</p><p></p><p><strong>Oppose injustice in all forms.</strong></p><p></p><p>******</p><p></p><p>Around an hour out from our destination, the air became very chilly and thin. I was pleased we had decided to have warm clothes tailored for us before we left the rebel camp. Despite the chill it was a clear and sunny day and we began to debate our approach to the monastery. While we were debating, the ship was set upon by a pair of shadow demons. The foul fiends seemed completely unaffected by the bright sunlight.</p><p></p><p>When Thock struck down the first of the demons I saw the flash of a handsome man’s face before the creature dissipated. The second demon was tearing through some legionnaires at the other end of the ship. Edgy, with amazing speed, traversed the entirety of the ship to confront the second demon. There the cat gave battle, but it was felled by my <em>Greater Glorious Bolt of Kord</em>. Edgy, jumped back when the fiend dissipated, and upon questioning, revealed that just like the first, a flash of man’s face had appeared when it died. It was only due to the Tabaxi’s amazing speed that we could confirm that both demons had flashed the same face as they left the prime.</p><p></p><p>Sadly, we were unable to save one of the legionnaires who was struck by the demon.</p><p></p><p><strong>The Bearer of the Sword of Kalmar brings a warrior home.</strong></p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>We spied a Dwarven muleskinner working his way up the switchbacks on the narrow trail leading to the monastery’s front doors. We resolved to cut him off and question him. Molly expertly steered the airship to a drop right in front of the monastery in an ancient courtyard. We waited patiently for the muleskinner to plod his way up to our position. </p><p></p><p>The Dwarf revealed no surprise at the sight of the airship and barely paid attention to us at all. When questioned about the monastery his response was uniform, “I drop the supplies. Knock on the door and they pay me.” We decided to allow him to knock on the door - there was little value in further reconnaissance - the monastery was a squat, windowless, rock structure.</p><p></p><p>Two young men in robes answered the door when the Dwarf knocked.</p><p></p><p>“Greetings brothers! I am Lucius Victorium Gnaeus fellow priest of mighty Kord. I bring you blessings,” I said.</p><p></p><p>“Have you come for contemplation?” one of the monks asked.</p><p></p><p>“What of these others?” the second monk asked. He gave the Dwarf a sack of coins. The Dwarf looked into the sack and then began unloading his mules.</p><p></p><p>“These are my companions who have given me great aid in reaching this holy site. I wish my mission was personal, but alas, it is of much higher concern. May I speak with the Abbot?” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“The superiors are in contemplation,” one of the monks replied.</p><p></p><p>“Please come in and be cleansed,” the second added.</p><p></p><p>We entered the monastery’s narthex and immediately felt a blast of warmth. We were led into a forecourt where a sizable brazier steaming with heat. The brazier was fired by a thermal current known as the Spring of Kord. There were four more initiates in the forecourt. </p><p></p><p>We exchanged introductions and I again insisted on seeing the abbot.</p><p></p><p>“Brother, you must know the superiors are in contemplation and have a vow of silence during their time of reflection. We cannot disturb them except in the case of a dire emergency,” one of the initiates responded.</p><p></p><p>“This is just such a dire emergency,” I replied.</p><p></p><p>“Before we can allow you admittance beyond you must be cleansed in any case,” another initiate said.</p><p></p><p>“What’s involved with this cleansing?” Shen asked me.</p><p></p><p>“I do not know,” I replied honestly.</p><p></p><p>“You will remove your old clothes and initiates will bathe and scrape your skin and you will receive robes of Kord,” an initiate said.</p><p></p><p>“Not happening,” Faithless announced.</p><p></p><p>“What?” an initiate asked.</p><p></p><p>“I am not removing my clothes in front of you or being bathed in any holy water,” Faithless clarified.</p><p></p><p>“You are the most impure and must undergo the cleansing first,” the initiate replied indignantly.</p><p></p><p>“I think you are impure, you filthy perverts,” Faithless replied.</p><p></p><p>“We have female initiates who can do the cleansing,” the initiate offered.</p><p></p><p>“Thock will go!” Thock offered.</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps I should go,” I offered.”You could explain the cleansing ritual and then I could do it for my companions.”</p><p></p><p>“You said you are not here for contemplation. It must be a brother of the monastery,” the initiate replied.</p><p></p><p>“Thock will go!” Thock insisted.</p><p></p><p>The initiates looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. A pair of the initiates began to lead the massive Half-orc away.</p><p></p><p>“How long will it take?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“Normally a quarter of an hour, but with someone of this size and state of filth it will take longer,” one of the initiates replied.</p><p></p><p>While Thock was led away for his cleansing the rest of us were shown to some small cells with comfortable beds and the initiates brought us bread and water. It was tempting to lay down and sleep, but this whole situation still troubled me. I went to each of my companions and told them I thought there was something amiss.</p><p></p><p><strong>Keep a watchful eye and a ready sword.</strong></p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Thock returned to us accompanied by a pair of initiates. His skin had appeared to change color!</p><p></p><p>“Thock are you alright?” Edgy asked. “Your skin looks different.”</p><p></p><p>“Just clean,” Thock replied cheerily. He was toting his old clothes and weapons in his arms.</p><p></p><p>I was relieved they had not tried to take his weapons. That would have gotten ugly very quickly. I had Thock explain what had happened and tried to ascertain if he was under any magical duress or influence. In all regards the entire process seemed innocent.</p><p></p><p>“She should be next,” one of the initiates said pointing at Faithless.</p><p></p><p>“I will be next,” I announced. “First, however, we will join in the prayer of the second blessing of Kord. Please join me brothers.”</p><p></p><p>I led the initiates through the first stanza of the prayer, but they seemed to stumble through the words.</p><p></p><p>“That is a basic supplication to our Lord, and yet you struggle. How can this be?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“We are surrounded by silence, Brother Lucius, speaking prayers aloud in the monastery rarely happens,” one of the initiates offered.</p><p></p><p>I did not believe him.</p><p></p><p>“I demand to see your abbot. This matter can no longer wait. I feel the evil influence may already be upon this place!”</p><p></p><p>The initiates protested, but I could see coming from the Nave a person in robes of a superior.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, finally, someone I can speak with,” I declared.</p><p></p><p>“Zedeena may not speak with you,” an initiate protested. “She has undertaken a vow of silence.”</p><p></p><p>“Who are you and why are you not cleansed?” Zedeena asked.</p><p></p><p>“Sister, I have some grave news that could not wait, but first, I would ask that we join in prayer and have you lead us in the fourth liturgy,” I replied. The fourth liturgy of the Sword prayer and response was so well known and common in the church that any hesitation on Zedeena’s part would confirm my growing suspicion we were dealing with imposters.</p><p></p><p>Zedeena with supernatural quickness shed her robes and struck three of us grievous blows with a rapier! The initiates all attacked us in concert with their leader. Zedeena licked the accumulated blood from her rapier and I felt an icy fear of her grow in my heart!</p><p></p><p>I cast <em>Kord’s Guardians</em> and battled one of the initiates. Shen was quickly overwhelmed and fell unconscious to the stone floor. Thock was hacking away at another of the initiates. He had let his robe fall to the floor and was battling with naked fury! I cast <em>Kord’s Will of Mass Healing</em>. Shen, recovering slightly, thanks to the prayer, cast a spell at Zedeena from the floor. I moved over and attacked her as well. Kord’s Guardians were spinning around me, buffeting into the initiates and Zedeena. </p><p></p><p>Faithless and Edgy both managed to slay initiates and as they fell they changed form into gray, featureless humanoids. Doppelgangers! Now, I understood what had happened!</p><p></p><p>Thock with a mighty swing of his sword slew Zedeena and Kord’s Guardians killed another initiate. Zedeena apparently was some sort of other creature - she did not change form. There was a momentary pause in the battle and then, ten more doppelgangers appeared from the Nave. </p><p></p><p>A doppelganger stepped forward and said, “We will cease fighting if you give us safe passage out of this place.”</p><p></p><p>We were very battered and facing ten more of these things did not seem like the wisest choice. “I think we can reach an accord,” I offered. “Who are you and what happened to the brothers?”</p><p></p><p>“We are mercenaries. We were hired to keep this place running. The men we replaced are being held in the basement, along with Hoplodamos,” the doppelganger replied.</p><p></p><p>I knew that name. Surely it could not be the same I knew of! “Who is Hoplodamos?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“A Titan,” it replied.</p><p></p><p>It was the same. “Gods’ Teeth!” I muttered. “One more thing and then we will let you go, show me what Hoplodamos looks like.”</p><p></p><p>The doppelganger formed the face of a handsome man. The same face we had seen flash before us when the shadow demons were defeated. </p><p></p><p>“Who holds him?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>“We do not know. They never come above. We only dealt with Zedeena,” the doppelganger answered.</p><p></p><p>True to our word, we allowed the doppelgangers to leave and watched as they took the forms of Dwarves and began heading down the long trail away from the monastery.</p><p></p><p>Assured that we were safe at least for a few hours, we set up for a long rest on the monastery’s ground floor. Once recovered we would go below and confront evil forces that had managed to imprison a Titan!</p><p></p><p><strong>The easy path serves the wicked</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pogre, post: 7201330, member: 6588"] [b]Episode Fourteen[/b] The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus Episode Fourteen For the next couple of days I avoided the rebel encampment and spent my time aboard [i]Molly’s Folly[/i] pouring over the correspondence that we had discovered at the Doom Speakers outpost. It took some time to understand the rhythm of the letters. The syntax had a strange cadence and the phrases seemed packed with underlying meaning. Eventually, I began to decipher the obtuse wording and could ascertain the outpost was one point of a complicated web of a shadow structure. Then I saw the blasphemy, the heresy! The Doom Speakers were trying to use the solemn Monastery of Contemplation to draw power for their nefarious schemes. This most holy site of Kord was being defiled! The Monastery of Contemplation was founded on the site where Kord had tried to seduce Fharlanghn. The goddess tricked Kord and Kord wept. The site on the mountain was revered as a holy site, and eventually, the monastery was built there. Followers of Kord came from far and wide to stay and contemplate their own faults. I had never personally been to the monastery, although I have faults, none required the sort of tortuous self-examination the Monastery of Contemplation demanded. Nonetheless, I was incensed that this very holy refuge of Kord was being so abused! I informed my companions of my discovery and to my delight they were only too happy to leave our sorry bunch of rebels behind to right this injustice! While they were not of the church, they could see this abominable state could not stand! After a lengthy explanation of the history of the monastery and my belief of what the cult of Doom Speakers was up to - there were only a couple of questions to be answered: “Are we going to kill things?” Thock asked. “Almost certainly,” I replied. “I’m in,” Thock said. We hired a carpenter’s apprentice, Egbert, to serve as Molly’s ship carpenter and set sail for the northern Flinty Hills. ***** I continued to study the correspondence as we journeyed towards the Flinty Hills. I saw numerous references to the Prince of Darkness, which I initially took to mean the master of the Gaping Maw, the Sibilant Beast, Maker of the Death Knights, or Ahmon-Ibor (He Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken). I needed another opinion and asked Faithless to consult the passages that were troubling me. “Initially, I thought these were references to the Sibilant Beast, but now I’m not sure,” I said. “Prince of Darkness does sound like Demogorgon,” she replied. “SHHHHH, his name must not be spoken!” I admonished her. “Well, what do you want me to call Demogorgon?” she asked. “Now, you are intentionally goading me! Master of the Gaping Maw or Ahmon-Ibor would be more appropriate to use,” I replied. “Too much trouble - why don’t I just call Demogorgon ‘Daddy Darkness’ or ‘D.G.’?” “Please stop saying his formal name - D.G. is fine,” I tried to remain cool, because I could see the delight Faithless got from my reaction to her blasphemies. “You know you bestow power on D.G. by refusing to say his name. Show me why you are doubting this is one of his cults.” I read the passages of the correspondence to her and she thoughtfully listened. FInally, she stood up and said, “I think you are right Lucius. There is no mention of duality, no reference to those who swim in the dark, basically none of the hallmarks of Demog… D.G.” “Who or what do you think they are referring to?” I asked. “No idea. None of the big fiends for sure. Probably some archaic, Chthonic deity who could care less that it has a cult.” The consideration of such dark matters was taxing and I resolved that all that mattered was that the cult served an evil purpose. [b]Oppose injustice in all forms.[/b] ****** Around an hour out from our destination, the air became very chilly and thin. I was pleased we had decided to have warm clothes tailored for us before we left the rebel camp. Despite the chill it was a clear and sunny day and we began to debate our approach to the monastery. While we were debating, the ship was set upon by a pair of shadow demons. The foul fiends seemed completely unaffected by the bright sunlight. When Thock struck down the first of the demons I saw the flash of a handsome man’s face before the creature dissipated. The second demon was tearing through some legionnaires at the other end of the ship. Edgy, with amazing speed, traversed the entirety of the ship to confront the second demon. There the cat gave battle, but it was felled by my [i]Greater Glorious Bolt of Kord[/i]. Edgy, jumped back when the fiend dissipated, and upon questioning, revealed that just like the first, a flash of man’s face had appeared when it died. It was only due to the Tabaxi’s amazing speed that we could confirm that both demons had flashed the same face as they left the prime. Sadly, we were unable to save one of the legionnaires who was struck by the demon. [b]The Bearer of the Sword of Kalmar brings a warrior home.[/b] ***** We spied a Dwarven muleskinner working his way up the switchbacks on the narrow trail leading to the monastery’s front doors. We resolved to cut him off and question him. Molly expertly steered the airship to a drop right in front of the monastery in an ancient courtyard. We waited patiently for the muleskinner to plod his way up to our position. The Dwarf revealed no surprise at the sight of the airship and barely paid attention to us at all. When questioned about the monastery his response was uniform, “I drop the supplies. Knock on the door and they pay me.” We decided to allow him to knock on the door - there was little value in further reconnaissance - the monastery was a squat, windowless, rock structure. Two young men in robes answered the door when the Dwarf knocked. “Greetings brothers! I am Lucius Victorium Gnaeus fellow priest of mighty Kord. I bring you blessings,” I said. “Have you come for contemplation?” one of the monks asked. “What of these others?” the second monk asked. He gave the Dwarf a sack of coins. The Dwarf looked into the sack and then began unloading his mules. “These are my companions who have given me great aid in reaching this holy site. I wish my mission was personal, but alas, it is of much higher concern. May I speak with the Abbot?” I replied. “The superiors are in contemplation,” one of the monks replied. “Please come in and be cleansed,” the second added. We entered the monastery’s narthex and immediately felt a blast of warmth. We were led into a forecourt where a sizable brazier steaming with heat. The brazier was fired by a thermal current known as the Spring of Kord. There were four more initiates in the forecourt. We exchanged introductions and I again insisted on seeing the abbot. “Brother, you must know the superiors are in contemplation and have a vow of silence during their time of reflection. We cannot disturb them except in the case of a dire emergency,” one of the initiates responded. “This is just such a dire emergency,” I replied. “Before we can allow you admittance beyond you must be cleansed in any case,” another initiate said. “What’s involved with this cleansing?” Shen asked me. “I do not know,” I replied honestly. “You will remove your old clothes and initiates will bathe and scrape your skin and you will receive robes of Kord,” an initiate said. “Not happening,” Faithless announced. “What?” an initiate asked. “I am not removing my clothes in front of you or being bathed in any holy water,” Faithless clarified. “You are the most impure and must undergo the cleansing first,” the initiate replied indignantly. “I think you are impure, you filthy perverts,” Faithless replied. “We have female initiates who can do the cleansing,” the initiate offered. “Thock will go!” Thock offered. “Perhaps I should go,” I offered.”You could explain the cleansing ritual and then I could do it for my companions.” “You said you are not here for contemplation. It must be a brother of the monastery,” the initiate replied. “Thock will go!” Thock insisted. The initiates looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. A pair of the initiates began to lead the massive Half-orc away. “How long will it take?” I asked. “Normally a quarter of an hour, but with someone of this size and state of filth it will take longer,” one of the initiates replied. While Thock was led away for his cleansing the rest of us were shown to some small cells with comfortable beds and the initiates brought us bread and water. It was tempting to lay down and sleep, but this whole situation still troubled me. I went to each of my companions and told them I thought there was something amiss. [b]Keep a watchful eye and a ready sword.[/b] ***** Thock returned to us accompanied by a pair of initiates. His skin had appeared to change color! “Thock are you alright?” Edgy asked. “Your skin looks different.” “Just clean,” Thock replied cheerily. He was toting his old clothes and weapons in his arms. I was relieved they had not tried to take his weapons. That would have gotten ugly very quickly. I had Thock explain what had happened and tried to ascertain if he was under any magical duress or influence. In all regards the entire process seemed innocent. “She should be next,” one of the initiates said pointing at Faithless. “I will be next,” I announced. “First, however, we will join in the prayer of the second blessing of Kord. Please join me brothers.” I led the initiates through the first stanza of the prayer, but they seemed to stumble through the words. “That is a basic supplication to our Lord, and yet you struggle. How can this be?” I asked. “We are surrounded by silence, Brother Lucius, speaking prayers aloud in the monastery rarely happens,” one of the initiates offered. I did not believe him. “I demand to see your abbot. This matter can no longer wait. I feel the evil influence may already be upon this place!” The initiates protested, but I could see coming from the Nave a person in robes of a superior. “Ah, finally, someone I can speak with,” I declared. “Zedeena may not speak with you,” an initiate protested. “She has undertaken a vow of silence.” “Who are you and why are you not cleansed?” Zedeena asked. “Sister, I have some grave news that could not wait, but first, I would ask that we join in prayer and have you lead us in the fourth liturgy,” I replied. The fourth liturgy of the Sword prayer and response was so well known and common in the church that any hesitation on Zedeena’s part would confirm my growing suspicion we were dealing with imposters. Zedeena with supernatural quickness shed her robes and struck three of us grievous blows with a rapier! The initiates all attacked us in concert with their leader. Zedeena licked the accumulated blood from her rapier and I felt an icy fear of her grow in my heart! I cast [i]Kord’s Guardians[/i] and battled one of the initiates. Shen was quickly overwhelmed and fell unconscious to the stone floor. Thock was hacking away at another of the initiates. He had let his robe fall to the floor and was battling with naked fury! I cast [i]Kord’s Will of Mass Healing[/i]. Shen, recovering slightly, thanks to the prayer, cast a spell at Zedeena from the floor. I moved over and attacked her as well. Kord’s Guardians were spinning around me, buffeting into the initiates and Zedeena. Faithless and Edgy both managed to slay initiates and as they fell they changed form into gray, featureless humanoids. Doppelgangers! Now, I understood what had happened! Thock with a mighty swing of his sword slew Zedeena and Kord’s Guardians killed another initiate. Zedeena apparently was some sort of other creature - she did not change form. There was a momentary pause in the battle and then, ten more doppelgangers appeared from the Nave. A doppelganger stepped forward and said, “We will cease fighting if you give us safe passage out of this place.” We were very battered and facing ten more of these things did not seem like the wisest choice. “I think we can reach an accord,” I offered. “Who are you and what happened to the brothers?” “We are mercenaries. We were hired to keep this place running. The men we replaced are being held in the basement, along with Hoplodamos,” the doppelganger replied. I knew that name. Surely it could not be the same I knew of! “Who is Hoplodamos?” I asked. “A Titan,” it replied. It was the same. “Gods’ Teeth!” I muttered. “One more thing and then we will let you go, show me what Hoplodamos looks like.” The doppelganger formed the face of a handsome man. The same face we had seen flash before us when the shadow demons were defeated. “Who holds him?” I asked. “We do not know. They never come above. We only dealt with Zedeena,” the doppelganger answered. True to our word, we allowed the doppelgangers to leave and watched as they took the forms of Dwarves and began heading down the long trail away from the monastery. Assured that we were safe at least for a few hours, we set up for a long rest on the monastery’s ground floor. Once recovered we would go below and confront evil forces that had managed to imprison a Titan! [b]The easy path serves the wicked[/b] [/QUOTE]
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The Saga of Lucius Victorium Gnaeus (A pogre storyhour) Episode Fifteen
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