Dark Hope - Chapter 1 - Pan Town

[Tänya]

"You are so desperate... i can feel your pain. But i'm not the only one... you forget your faith... remember... the gods are watching you... and they are not far from you as you could think..."
"Solaris is close to you even now..."
He smiles to you as you can't imagin the goblin could do... the smile is full of pity.

"You have a gift. Use it on your horse and pray for her soul. The gods answer to those that really seek for them, for those that really belive in them. Solaris wants only you love, Tanya. Give it to her, for a moment, and you could have a great gift as reward..."

Tänya looks searchingly into the face of the goblin. He is so...not what I have come to learn of them, she thinks. And he is right. I haven't yet committed Solana's soul to the embrace of Solaris...

Before walking back to the corpse of her companion, she considers the riddle Thonunian presents. "Branch, root, and drown could all refer to water, perhaps. Ray, truth and rise, perhaps to light. But all of them together? I must think on this."

Mumbling to herself, she continues on:

"...unless it is something silly, like each word contains the letter "R"..."

She glanced at the others, puzzling over the inscription Thonunian found and sifting through the coins.

"Later..."

Walking away from the back corner of the cavern, she pauses by the studded leather armor and hefts it, considering. She was desperately afraid she wouldn't reach Renard in time, due to the weight of her hide armor. And the size seemed possibly reasonable. Someone should check it and see. Compared to the others in her party, she would be dwarfed if the armor would fit one of them better. But, it had no metal...

Studs from bone. Very clever indeed...

"Later..."

Finally, reaching Solana's side, she once again kneels next to her and wraps her arms around her neck. Burying her head into her neck, she whispers, "I love you, Solana," then rises and moves directly in front of her.

Grasping her quarterstaff in both of her hands, she once more looks at it with puzzlement yet gratitude in her eyes. Speaking softly she begins to address The Kind One in prayer...

"I have no idea why this gift from Beliant has sent me visions, and warnings, nor why it seems to be as effective a weapon against Undead as it appears to have turned out to be. And Beliant seems to not know as well. I seek enlightenment on it, and pray it will come to me in time...

"But that is not why I approach you now."

Dropping to her knees, Tänya prostrates herself fully in front of Solana and extends her quarterstaff forward until it once again lightly touches the sunburst blaze on Solana's forehead. Slipping into Druidic, she continues...

"Benevolent Mother, Solaris, Kind One and Creator of all Talamh and the g-ds and g-ddesses that watch above and below us, I turn to you in thankfulness for your blessing and love. Watch over me and my companions, for we strive to reflect your Light into all that we do and throughout Talamh, even if the others are unaware that they do so.

"I also come before you with the hope of your embrace upon the spirit and soul of my friend and long time companion, Solana. She was faithful, loyal, and loving in all the time we were together. She worked hard and willingly at all the tasks set before her. She may have been only a horse, but she was mine, and I hers...

"Although I desire her presence still with me here in the mortal plane, I consign the spirit and soul of Solana, my horse and companion, to your embrace, and ask for your blessing and love wherever she may now be..."

Lasping into silence, the elven druid stays prostrate before the silent corpse of her horse, continuing to gently touch her blaze with her staff, and continues to pour her heart and soul into her prayer.

[knowledge: religion check on my staff, and if such a check can somehow bring peace that Solana is well off, a check for that as well, and edited to insert a totally silly guess at the riddle, after the serious guess...]

[Ahkash]

Shuddering a little at the wanton use of magic going on, the half-elf rogue ignored the rest of the party as best he was able, and gathered the 200 gold pieces that were his share of the treasure.

Then, still deliberately resting his hand on the hilt of his rapier, he headed toward the exit, where he stood waiting, a slightly suspicious gaze on the others.

[Mephiston]

When the pray of Tanya ends, a glow of light surround the body of Solana.

The horse starts to move his head and she touches Tanya's cheek with her snout. Then she rises up and she rears up!
she seems to be like you remeber and there is no trace of what is happened before.

[Ahkash]

The half-elf shook his head in disbelief.

"We've just fought half a dozen undead wolves, and been frozen in our tracks by some sort of death-magic sorceror, and now we have an undead horse around?

Are you completely insane?"

[Renard]

The half-elf shook his head in disbelief.

"We've just fought half a dozen undead wolves, and been frozen in our tracks by some sort of death-magic sorceror, and now we have an undead horse around?

[ooc] nice. [/ooc]

[Thonunian]

Thonunian is shocked by what he sees, but quickly recovers.

"So, Half-blood, was your name Ahkash? The horse is not Undead, but truly returned to life! Can you not see that from the way it is acting?"

He then turns to the Druid, "As for you, although I am sure you are pleased your horse has been returned, I must ask how someone would have the power to manage such a feat while still being too weak to defend themselves...

Whatever. It matters not. However, there is a slight problem for you. In the Undead at the farm, every single one had a black stone in their mouth. Although they were worthless, they could easily block your horse's ability to draw breath. I suggest you check to see if it is still in the mouth of this one.

Having finished his speech, he considers the blood on his cloak, and looks at the stream, then Ahkash. He moves to the pile of gold and begins to collect his share, attempting to take only gold pieces, or even platnium, if there is any.

Nothing happened when the Druid voiced her answers to the riddle, but she was not in front of it...

He heads over to the alcove where he had found the magical inscription, and says both the answer about "light and water", and the one that was "the letter 'R'".

[Tänya]

Velvety softness caressing her cheek, Tänya slowly lifts her head and gazes into those liquid pools of love she had so desperately missed. Then, as she pushes herself back on to her knees, her face radiates with joy as the heavy weight of the blonde draft horse effortlessly raises herself up in a rear!!

A Voice reverberates inside her head...

"Show to the men that the gods are not far, show to the men that they can always ask for our help and we will response, if possible."
...
"I'm walking with you..."

Tänya prostrates herself once again, and responds in the holy language of her Order, "Oh, generous Mother, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am not worthy of your notice and wished only for the consecration of Solana's soul into your safe keeping.

"But I am joyous at her return! And will be sure to not assume safety in ancient places simply because they appear to have been once a place of worship for my Order.

"I am humbled by your attention, and will strive to be a Voice for you throughout Talamh."

Then jumping up on to her feet, Tänya races to Solana's head, and hugs her with everything she has. Her heart soars at Solana's answering nicker...

After a few minutes, Tänya steps away and gazes fondly at her companion. Then, walking back to the studded armor, picks it up and evaluates its size. It may just fit, she thinks, and walks behind the pile next to the prone bard to switch out the armor. Smiling shyly towards Renard, she mutters towards him, "Don't come around just yet," and strips her hide off under the not quite complete cover of the formation.

Donning and cinching the bone studded armor, she can already feel the difference in weight, and she fingers her hide armor thoughtfully. Looking at her fellow party members, she considers the percentage of elven and half-elven members. Perhaps the market in Pan Town will have a clientele for an elven-sized suit of hide armor. Draping the hide over her arm, she makes her way towards the others.

I don't know how the half-blood did his calculations, but he seems to already resent me just for who I am, so I will not press the issue with him, she thinks to herself. With Balpur and Arael, there are seven of us. Reaching into the treasure pile, she takes 142 gold pieces for herself, and 142 gold pieces for Renard, and finding Solana's tack, stores them and the suit of hide armor safely in her saddle bags.

Returning to stroking Solana's nose, she whispers to her, "You are a fine, strong girl, yes you are. I ask your indulgence when we leave here, and request you allow the bard to be placed upon your back until we reach the church of Solaris. You will have my heartfelt gratitude for your effort."

Finally making her way next to Thonunian, she first responds, "I will look inside Solana's mouth in just a moment," then asks "Have you figured out the riddle? There is treasure here, maybe the riddle was left behind by pirates."

Winking broadly at the warrior sorcerer, she addresses the area where the riddle was seen and bellows a hearty "Arrrr!!!" Not expecting anything to happen, she doubles over in a fit of laughter at her joke, her joy at the return of Solana once more overtaking her exhausted senses.

[Thonunian]

Thonunian looks over at the others.

It seems that the Rouge decided to ignore our civilian companions, despite the fact that they did help...

"Balpur, Arael! Either of you want some of this?" He indicates the pile of treasure.

He turns his humorless face towards the Druid in disgust.

What is she going on about? I would have thought that even a Druid would know that real priates did not talk like that.

He then says to her, "I am glad you are feeling better. Perhaps you would care to use some of the strength that you used to resurect your horse to heal the bard? I would like his help on this riddle, and also on a small question of minor importance I have..."

[Tänya]

Perhaps you would care to use some of the strength that you used to resurect your horse to heal the bard?

Taken aback at the obtuseness of the other elf, Tänya realizes once again that no one else here knows the secret language. Of course it would appear to the others that she resurrected Solana herself. She had to rectify this, and give the credit to Solaris, where it was due.

"The strength was not mine," she answered him, slowly shaking her head. "The Kind One responded to my prayer asking for her to admit the soul of Solana into her embrace in a way I never expected. All glory for Solana's return goes to her.

"As far as healing the bard now, all of my own spells are gone until I can finally rest. However, it has come to me that possibly the gift from my master has more power than I have seen already..."

Approaching the prone bard hesitantly, not knowing for certain what power she held in her hands, Tänya kneels next to Renard and gently lays her quarterstaff upon his chest. Closing her eyes as she silently offers yet another prayer to Solaris, she widens them suddenly as a golden glow emanates from her staff and infuses the body of the bard, as the power of Cure Light Wounds washes over him.

As the glow fades, she eagerly watches the bard's face, hoping to see those laughing eyes look back at her...

[Mephiston]

[ooc] i have no time now to describe in detail what is happening. i want only to say that Renard come back to 1hp. so he's now conscious. So if Renard want to interact with the others is now able to

furthermore i would like to inform you that you are now 2nd level characters, congratulation[/ooc]

[Renard]

With a groan of effort, Renard opens his eyes. A brief moment of confusion and pain clouds his vision, but then his eyes alight upon Tänya hovering over him. An easy smile brightens his face and he seems to relax. ”I may have thought myself dead and that an angel had come to take me to The Beyond, but I do not think death would be this painful.”
With another, but more audible groan, Renard gets to his feet. ”OWhh, one minute I am leaping across a creek and throwing flaming oil at a bear, and the next this flaming-bear is nigh-on raping me! <pained chuckle> This is certainly not described well in the tales of heroes. Ha!… I guess it’s proof that I should stick to writing about them, and not trying to be one.” He punctuates it with a self-mocking laugh.
With a glance at Tänya, and a contented sigh, Renard remarks, ”You see, fair one, I told you that I looked forward to further grievous wounds with less trepidation.” Placing his hand upon hers he says with deep regret, ”But before I ask what has transpired in my absence, I do wish to tell you how deeply sorry I am for your loss of Solana…

[ooc] I will assume Renard will be brought up to date on all that happened: the evil bear-guy (Aliash), the other creepy guy with skull-staff, the raising of Solana, alter, poem … etc…. (can I?) [/ooc]

[Tänya]

Never realizing her joy could reach such levels, Tänya holds her exuberance in check and merely grips the bard's hand back with a little too much force, if the brief spasm of pain that crosses his features is any indication. Her own face once again reflects her inner feelings. I know I am too easily read, she thinks to herself. But right now, I do not care...

"Thank you, Renard," she whispers. "Your sympathy is appreciated. But look!" as she points to Solana, who nickers loudly across the stream from where they sit. "It is no longer justified."

And unable to contain herself any longer, she stands up and whirls in her joy until she collapses in yet another fit of giggles.

I need to rest. Desperately. But oh...
Such a need for rest has never felt so good...

And the elven druid softly laughs in a quietly hysterical manner, not quite able to stop herself...

[Ahkash]

"Dead, Undead, restored to life, it was dead, now it is alive again. A feat you all seem to think should have been beyond her, yet accomplished more easily than restoring that bard to consciousness.

I am not so ready as you to assume all motives are benevolent. Hers might well be, but the power that restored that horse?"

He rummaged for a second in his pack, then threw down a part-burned, part-stained, and part-eaten away book.

"I found that near where the portal opened."

Only a single passage at the end of the damaged diary is legible...it reads...

Master, your suggestions were accurate! I was completely wrong! Now the spell is ready, and I can reanimate dead animals! That is wonderful! Graveris will be pleased by our work!
Tomorrow I will attack the farms near the old temple of the twin goddesses...

In the name of Graveris... what is a horse doing in the old temple? Someone was fool enough to leave it alone in a dark place! I feel something in that horse... I think it could be a special animal, perhaps like my dear Ronqual, my undead bear... they share something... maybe a druid is here... I should find it and kill it... Graveris will like my work much more if I sacrifice a druid to her altar! I will take the animal and transform it into an undead...

By the Nine Hells! What has happened? Strangers have attacked my dead animals... and killed Ronqual! I will never forgive this! They must pay for what they have done! First of I will kill the horse of the druid, converting it in an undead to have my first revenge! But I fear her staff...I can see something... something good in it... master I need your advices... I need you here now...Where are you?

Closely following the book, the rogue carelessy tossed 58 gold in the smallest denomination pieces back into the pile.

"I forgot them," he said, jerking his head towards the Goblin and the strange winged man.

[Thonunian]

Thonunian reads the passage and looks up, surprised.

"This was a good find, Ahkash! It give us at least some idea of what is going on."

He turns to the Druid "Have you ever heard of..." he checks the book "...Graveris? it sounds like a god, but not one I have ever heard of."

He then turns to the bard and explains about the riddle and how he found it. "... so if you could think of anything that might help us solve it, I would appreciate it. Also, while I looked for magic, I could not help but notice that something in your backpack is very strongly magical! Would you mind telling us what you have in there?"

[Tänya]

Gasping air quickly and trying hard to regain her dispassion, Tänya looked at her fellows and asked, "Who or what is Graveris? The name, and symbol is unknown to me. All I know of it is that it is in Graveris' name that the evil one slayed Solana."

Her brows rise as she continues to read from the passage of the book...

"...the old temple of the twin goddesses..."

Tänya shakes her head in puzzlement.

"Matheris' holy symbol adorns the pillar above, alongside another of this other symbol that is on the stalagmite. This other symbol, as I said before, is obviously the reverse of Matheris' symbol and the two formed a whole on a wheel that unlocked the pillar for me, granting access to this cavern.

"The pantheon of the g-ds teem with blatant opposition of one to another. Tauren Karos, Tauren Koris. Idramar, Ignisur. Argothoth, Solaris, etc. But I have never heard of a "twin" to Matheris. She has an opposite in both Plageon and Argothoth, but a twin g-ddess? Not even Selina fits that description. And my lore of the g-ddess of Nature is fairly extensive. This truly puzzles me..."

Looking sternly at the half-blood, who expressed suspicion towards the miracle of Solaris, she says...

"All credit for the resurrection of Solana goes to Solaris. Do you question the will of The Kind One? We need to yet be seen by the clerics of her church for more healing. Perhaps if you choose to meditate on her will while you are treated there, you will learn of the motives of her gift to me..."

[ooc]any further guesses regarding the riddle would be welcome, since there has been no comment regarding my "Arrr!!!" or Thonunian's attempt, LOLOL[/ooc]

[Renard]

Renard takes on a more sombre look as he takes in all the stories from Thonunian and Tänya on what transpired and all the little tid-bits they tell, occassionally asking questions to fill in blank spots.
he wanders to the carving of the poem, crouches down and runs his fingers across the writing and the image of the root-system carving (or upside down tree!) and ponders the possibilities, occassionally wincing in pain. "Bloody ursidae," he mutters under his breath.

Thonunian:

"... so if you could think of anything that might help us solve it, I would appreciate it. Also, while I looked for magic, I could not help but notice that something in your backpack is very strongly magical! Would you mind telling us what you have in there?"

A playful grin brightens his face, briefly stern in consentration. "A gift, noble one. And perhaps not as dangerous as the one you wield, eh? I hope you are able to continue to use it against evil, and not the other way around"
Looking around at the carnage of the the undead wolves and recalling the magic used against their foe, Renard smiles with earnest friendship. "Ah, but I will have faith in your noble heart, brave Thonunian."

He then turns back to the carvings...

[Tänya]

the root-system carving (or upside down tree!) and ponders the possibilities...

[ooc]*nodding vigorously*[/ooc]

[Tänya]

Seeing the bard preoccupied with the inscriptions, Tänya feels he won't push himself too hard physically. Concerned that he is yet a bit unsteady on his feet, she hesitates to leave his side, but Thonunian's warning of a potential stone in Solana's mouth worries her. Deciding the bard doesn't need her hovering constantly over him, she makes her way back to Solana, and gently pries her mouth open.

"There, there, bright one. Let me just take a look..."

[ooc]uhm...not sure what to ask for here. A spot check on Solana's mouth?[/ooc]

[Renard]

ooc]uhm...not sure what to ask for here. A spot check on Solana's mouth?[/ooc]

[ooc] how about the "induce vomiting' skill?... [/ooc]

[Menolly]

[ooc, obviously]

*chuckling*[/ooc]