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The Westgate Campaign Chronicles - serial
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<blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 7874643" data-attributes="member: 7015827"><p>High Cleric Carlin prepared to begin the ritual to raise Melissa, warning the others that it would likely take much longer and be more onerous than the one undertaken to raise Veran. His words proved true, as the time he spent in the ritual stretched on and he began to show signs of strain. Brok-Tul cast several blessings on Carlin, which seemed to stabilize him for a short while. However, after additional time had passed, beads of sweat broke out on the High Cleric's forehead and he cried out briefly.</p><p></p><p>The priest on duty whispered something to Brok-Tul, who approached Carlin and put a hand on his shoulder. The touch seemed to break the trance Carlin was under, as the ritual was interrupted and Carlin's awareness returned to the room. Carlin chastised Brok-Tul for interfering with the ritual, although he appreciated the concern shown for him by the half-orc cleric. Carlin told them he had learned some things while in contact with Melissa's spirit, but had to retire in order to rest and contemplate his experience before re-attempting the ritual in the morning; Carlin believed their second chance at raising her would be the final one.</p><p></p><p>The companions spent the night at Baron Pahar's manor, then returned to the temple in the morning to witness Carlin's second attempt at the ritual. The High Cleric of Helm once again appeared to struggle while in a trance-like state, briefly crying out, but after a time a holy light appeared and Melissa's body shuddered, weakly beginning to breathe. Carlin directed the under-priest present to find clothing for Melissa and take her into Carlin's chamber to begin her healing process. Looking weak but determined, Carlin then told the group that he wished to share with them things he had learned during his ordeal to revive Melissa.</p><p></p><p>During the previous ritual, she had been quite resistant to returning to Faerun; Carlin speculated that the extra time in Kelemvor's dead realm had helped convince her that the living one would be less pleasant for her. (<em>Kelemvor's peace is the most final, in truth. --C</em>). Carlin also learned something about her connection to Ashnakzeroth. It appeared that the abomination had granted her some of its own strength, which is where her magical abilities derived from. It had done the same thing with Zagath, when he was its servant. Correcting Brok-Tul's idea that she might be an avatar of a deity, Carlin called it the equivalent of sorcery, with magical ability being fused into the subject's blood. As long as both she and Ashnakzeroth lived, the High Cleric believed there would be some connection between them through her blood.</p><p></p><p>In response to questions from Rahnee and Jokull, Carlin indicated that he did not think Ashnakzeroth had direct control over Melissa as a result of their connection. Rather, it had seduced her to be a willing follower through promises of power. Rahnee then asked point-blank how Carlin was able to convince her to return. The High Cleric, after reaffirming Veran's pledge not to kill Melissa, stated that he believed she still intended to aid her master, perhaps seeking to dupe them while playing the innocent. Carlin's main argument in convincing her to return had been that she could do nothing to aid Ashnakzeroth while in Kelemvor's halls. Carlin said that her words were carefully constructed during the bargain she struck with him while in the Fugue Plane. Although she promised to provide information on Ashnakzeroth they would find useful, Carlin thought her promise might be double-edged. (<em>It is dangerous indeed to have a serpent be your guide into a swamp. --R</em>). When Jokull asked how dangerous her magic remained, Carlin answered by saying that her innate ability appeared small, speculating that she had been aided by magical devices provided by her master.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Carlo-One, post: 7874643, member: 7015827"] High Cleric Carlin prepared to begin the ritual to raise Melissa, warning the others that it would likely take much longer and be more onerous than the one undertaken to raise Veran. His words proved true, as the time he spent in the ritual stretched on and he began to show signs of strain. Brok-Tul cast several blessings on Carlin, which seemed to stabilize him for a short while. However, after additional time had passed, beads of sweat broke out on the High Cleric's forehead and he cried out briefly. The priest on duty whispered something to Brok-Tul, who approached Carlin and put a hand on his shoulder. The touch seemed to break the trance Carlin was under, as the ritual was interrupted and Carlin's awareness returned to the room. Carlin chastised Brok-Tul for interfering with the ritual, although he appreciated the concern shown for him by the half-orc cleric. Carlin told them he had learned some things while in contact with Melissa's spirit, but had to retire in order to rest and contemplate his experience before re-attempting the ritual in the morning; Carlin believed their second chance at raising her would be the final one. The companions spent the night at Baron Pahar's manor, then returned to the temple in the morning to witness Carlin's second attempt at the ritual. The High Cleric of Helm once again appeared to struggle while in a trance-like state, briefly crying out, but after a time a holy light appeared and Melissa's body shuddered, weakly beginning to breathe. Carlin directed the under-priest present to find clothing for Melissa and take her into Carlin's chamber to begin her healing process. Looking weak but determined, Carlin then told the group that he wished to share with them things he had learned during his ordeal to revive Melissa. During the previous ritual, she had been quite resistant to returning to Faerun; Carlin speculated that the extra time in Kelemvor's dead realm had helped convince her that the living one would be less pleasant for her. ([I]Kelemvor's peace is the most final, in truth. --C[/I]). Carlin also learned something about her connection to Ashnakzeroth. It appeared that the abomination had granted her some of its own strength, which is where her magical abilities derived from. It had done the same thing with Zagath, when he was its servant. Correcting Brok-Tul's idea that she might be an avatar of a deity, Carlin called it the equivalent of sorcery, with magical ability being fused into the subject's blood. As long as both she and Ashnakzeroth lived, the High Cleric believed there would be some connection between them through her blood. In response to questions from Rahnee and Jokull, Carlin indicated that he did not think Ashnakzeroth had direct control over Melissa as a result of their connection. Rather, it had seduced her to be a willing follower through promises of power. Rahnee then asked point-blank how Carlin was able to convince her to return. The High Cleric, after reaffirming Veran's pledge not to kill Melissa, stated that he believed she still intended to aid her master, perhaps seeking to dupe them while playing the innocent. Carlin's main argument in convincing her to return had been that she could do nothing to aid Ashnakzeroth while in Kelemvor's halls. Carlin said that her words were carefully constructed during the bargain she struck with him while in the Fugue Plane. Although she promised to provide information on Ashnakzeroth they would find useful, Carlin thought her promise might be double-edged. ([I]It is dangerous indeed to have a serpent be your guide into a swamp. --R[/I]). When Jokull asked how dangerous her magic remained, Carlin answered by saying that her innate ability appeared small, speculating that she had been aided by magical devices provided by her master. [/QUOTE]
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