"All right, but I have little information of what the auras mean. I'll describe them in as much detail as I can, but one of the these days you'll have to teach me the theory behind it." Andrei cast detect magic again and looks over what Anwel found.
Not really attached to the hide shirt, Warren changes into leather armor.
"Let us go meet the priest."
Phedre frowns at the guardian's response.
"We may not be able to slay this demon..." Phedre says softly to herself as she began to fidget for a minute. Phedre knew that there were evil beings too powerful in this world for her to put an end to but having one so close was getting under her skin.
"Alright, let's go. If we can't kill it now, we'll find a way to later."
With a fierce effort you manage to push the memories and power away, however, you are certain that she knows who and where you are at this very moment.
As for the box itself, it is a potent creation. You know for certain that it potent Scrying element, but that is far from the only magic the box radiates. Two powerful enchantments are woven into the very fabric of the box. The strongest is a potent and dangerous binding spell.
Anwel opens the small scroll case on the box. As expected it does hold a small rolled up parchment. Unfortunately, the message written in a delicate, elegant handwriting appears to be in a code of some kind. It will take some time to decipher.
As the party retreats away from the guarded passage, the knights lower their weapons and resume a less threatening stance. The other passage has a gentle downward slope. After approximately thirty paces you can hear the soft gurgling of water splashing.
Anwel gasps at the all-too-familiar, malevolent intrusion into his mind. "They are all dead," he wails, holding the box away from him but unable to look away from the keening, tortured faces. "There was nothing I could have done. I did not know." The anguish, however, is mostly a mask, a cover for the revulsion he uses to push back against the Shadowcountess. It feels like forever, but in a few seconds Anwel is in control of himself again. He drops the box, plucks out the scroll, and disappointedly shoves it in his pocket when it turns out he cannot decipher it.
Anwel thinks very carefully about what to say next. He can still feel the Countess watching his movements, though no longer his mind. "I believe," he says finally, "that that box could be used to imprison Pashtiel. Of course, the demon is already imprisoned, but it would be portable. Folk could live and work here without fear." He holds up a finger to forestall any counterargument. He has a number already prepared. "That being said, I know not how the thing works. Even if I am right about what it does, and could make it work, we would still have to get it past the guards. Considering the fate of my fellows," he punctuates this statement with a gesture to the corpses, "and my promise that I would do no such thing," he looks to Phedre for corroboration, considering only she would have understood it, "that seems unwise."
Anticipating that no one would actually want to use it, Anwel leaves the box behind, delving into the unguarded tunnel with the others. Even if it turns out to be their only option, it is going nowhere.
Andrei looks at Anwel as if he has gone crazy but quickly recovers to look concerned at the dead mages. "I agree maybe something for later."
After a detailed conversation with Anwel where he explains the details of the aura he sees he turns to Warren. "The armour seem to have minor enchantments to enhance it's natural protection. The ring will protect it's wearer from some magic and the Robe will protect against electricity."
Continuing on down the tunnel, the party eventually comes to a large circular chamber. As you enter the chamber a dozen large green crystals begin to glow softly providing plenty of light. The center of the room is filled with a bubbling fountain. The water smells cool and clean and a general aroma of mint and and sage fills the air. Six other openings exit the chamber, one approximately every sixty degrees. Each is covered with a simple curtain. The room appears to be empty as you enter.
"May I take the ring?" After his bout with the box, Anwel welcomes any possibility of protecting his mind. Andrei had made it sound like the ring's protection is particularly potent. "As for the cape, electrical charges are often delivered by touch." That makes it suited best to Andrei or Phedre, at least, that is how it seems to Anwel.
He pauses a moment before entering the new chamber. "This place smells familiar, almost like—" Anwel bites his upper lip before he can say any more, and looks significantly at Andrei and Warren. They would remember Rassada's grove, and would know better than to mention it, especially when the Countess might be listening. "Appropriate for a cleansing place." Anwel walks first to the fountain, then to one of the curtained exits, and puts his hand on the jamb. "Does anyone see any instructions on how to go about that?"
Andrei hands Anwel the ring "It is attuned to a powerful illusion, probably something they feared that the demon would use, maybe even the magic that was used in the cold room."
Andrei watches Anwel, "I assume you clean yourself at the fountain and then enter one of the rooms. I would assume this is dedicated to Iomedae so maybe Phedre can give us more insight."
"Well, I guess we can get ready to fight the creature."
Warren changes into beast form, the most comfortable guise for him.
Anwel shakes his head at Andrei's suggestion. "One of the knights mentioned a priest that would prepare us.
"Come out," he says coaxingly, to the seemingly empty room.
Andrei nods and casts detect magic again and starts to look around.
As you look for magical energy you quickly register the magical crystals above each alcove that is providing the light in the room. The fountain itself also radiates a form of healing magic. But more unexpectedly each of the alcoves radiate a magical aura.
After Warren changes into beast form and Andrei begins his study of the rooms magic, Vrag hisses softly as the space behind him is suddenly occupied by a very elderly looking man in the robes of a high priest of Iomedae. The bugbear reaches for his weapon, but the priest smiles and gently shakes his head at Vrag.
"There is no need for violence in this chamber master warrior." He says in a kindly, gentle voice. Then turning to greet the whole party he waves his hand in the air in a holy blessing. "The Peace of Iomedae be upon you all. Be welcome and may you find the peace and light. Do you wish to be cleansed of all fears and weaknesses of the mind and spirit?"
"Yes." Anwel's response, despite its directness, is clipped and somewhat doubtful. "That seems, however, like it should take longer than an afternoon." He thinks back to Rassada's grove again, to the lifting of the curse on that old priest and to Thad's Brightness. Both had been transformed, but the old man had spent most of his life doing penance and Thad had been strong and courageous to begin with. By either criterion, Anwel knows he has a long way to go.
"Can you say what we must do?"
Warren produces his new holy symbol. "I am ready."
Andrei smiles warmly at the old man "I do not think there is any who would refuse such an offer. If you and your god would grant me cleansing of my weaknesses and fears I will certainly accept. What must we do?"
The man smiles and bows his head slightly. "It is wise of you to ask. He says mildly. "Be warned that the cleansing must be most...rigorous...and not all are strong enough to face their inner demons and fears."
He waves a gnarled hand toward the fountain. "Each who seeks the blessing must drink from the Fountain of Mindfulness. The blessed waters will help prepare your minds for the trial to follow."
He steps over to one of the alcoves and gestures to the dark opening. "Each must choose an entrance and follow their own path to enlightenment. The path is short, but for those weak of mind and spirit it can be timeless."
A thin, grim smile crosses his lips. "Iomedae's methods are severe, but those seeking audience with the prisoner must be made pure enough to evade the demons trickery and influence. They cannot be allowed to become tools of the prisoner that could facilitate its escape."
"There is no dishonor should you choose to abandon your need to speak with the prisoner and not face the cleansing."
Warren picks the farthest entrance, assuming the most hard to get to would be the best bet, and heads inside. He encourages Vrag to do the same.
Anwel steps up to the fountain and looks down at the water. He sees nothing. The ripples Warren and Vrag had made when they drank still disturb the surface. But it does not matter; Anwel does not know what he was looking for in the first place. He cups his hands, brings some of the water to his face, and sips, letting the excess drain through his fingers. As he does so, he thinks back to his talk with Kallista before leaving Morrowgate. He had used words much like the Iomedean priest's; that he had not yet accepted his shadow's forgiveness for his weaknesses and fears.
How much had changed in the days since then? For himself, very little. Anwel still feels guilty over Darl, and still cringes at reminders of the Shadowcountess. But maybe he cannot afford to take things slow anymore. Twice now he has felt the Countess's presence, here and in Rassada's grove. At least some of her other agents are dead, and she knows Anwel knows. He has much less time than he had thought he would. He still does not like the idea of a short cut, but he knows that is a construct of his mind. The priest had not characterized the trial that way.
Anwel also knows he has nothing to lose. The consequences of failure sound like either death, or an eternity forced to bear his fears and weaknesses, never overcoming them. Before coming to the Stolen Lands, he had accepted such a life, and since, he has faced death many times. He steps away from the fountain, and stands in the threshold of one of the doors.
"Maybe you will not hold refusal against us, sir," he says, "but I have a promise to keep." Zealous service to Morrowgate means clearing this mine, and he does not want his friends to face Pashtiel without him. He steps through the door.
Watching her friends drink and depart to confront their challenges brings a smile to Phedre's face. Turning to face the elder, she asks "May we speak with you after we have passed our trials? There is so much that I would like to know. Stories of the past, how you came to be here, teachings of Iomedae that may have been lost to time. Please?"
Andrei step back out of the room prays quietly for a little, those knowledgeable of such thing will recognise that this one is to the Goddess Calistria. A moment later he will re-enter nodding to the priest "I will under go this purification.".
He goes to fountain drinks heavily before going to the nearest curtained off room.
The old priest watches calmly as you each drink from the fountain and then step through into the alcoves. Each alcove actually opens into a short hallway that ends in a closed stone door. The floor, walls, and ceiling all appear to be covered in delicately carving writing. The dim lighting and layers of dust make it difficult to read the text at first, but after a few seconds of concentration you discover it is The Acts of Iomedae written in common.
As each of you reach the midpoint of the hall, you hear a soft whoosh as the path behind you is sealed off by a solid wall of stone. For a handful of seconds you are each bathed in complete darkness and silence. Then the thin lines of writing begin to glow with a soft golden light and the doorway at the opposite end of the hall stands open.
Anwel looks from walls to the door, and decides to spend a few minutes refreshing his memory of the Acts before pushing forward. Phedre can probably quote them chapter and verse, but she is not here, and these trials might require him to demonstrate one or more of the qualities exemplified in the text. When he reaches the end, however, he steps through the door. There is, after all, no going back.
Andrei will read the text twice, firstly silently to himself and then out loud with as he would if entertaining a tavern of people.
Not bad, plenty of drama and action. Maybe I should add this to my repertoire. He thinks before continuing trying a few parts with different emphases.
Warren smiles at the light and looks to Vrask with concern. He wonders how the big monster is taking this, and they are taking him.
Phedre stops before the door and reads the text in silence. After a quiet pray to the Inheritor she steps inside.
"Welcome home my little apprentice." Says the Shadowcountess Dima. "I like what you've done with the place." She says waving her hand in a simple gesture toward the shadow infused chamber.
Stepping back inside you see a beautiful woman walking slowly up an aisle between several rows of people. Despite having her back to you, you would recognize that walk and gentle beauty anywhere. Your true love, Elanna Lebeda. Her wedding gown a gold, silver, and white wonder of creation. Your feet and heart become lead as your gaze shifts to the end of the aisle where waiting for her is Noleski Surtova, King of Brevoy.
Approaching the outpost, you start to recognize a few of the features despite the damage and general collapse. The remnants of a few burnt wagons sit outside the outpost. As you step through the broken gate you see the remains of Oleg's home. Burnt bones and the remains of several bodies litter the courtyard. Some of the bodies are quite small.
A cracked, shallow voice scraps the air to your right. There, hanging from the wall is Titiana. Her once pretty features scarred, sunken and on the verge of death. For a few moments her eyes land on you.
"You are too late Warren." She croaks, "All is lost. All are dead or taken. There is nothing good in the Broken Lands."
Come in daughter, and invite your husband as well. At the mention of husband, you turn to stare into the cold, dim eyes of Litinius. His stern features barely register your presence as he slides past you to greet your father.
"Greetings Inquisitor." Litinius says with a knife thin smile. "It seems my wife has forgotten her manners and place. But then I guess she may as well be present since this discussion does involve her in some minor way."
Litinius pulls a chair out for you as you sit. He then looks to your father, who still has trouble meeting your eyes directly.
"So. How shall we deal with Phedre's blasphemy and betrayal?"
Andrei starts forward then stops himself. Interrupting now will get myself killed for no purpose, better to stop the wedding with a distraction..." He thinks as he looks around for ideas.
Wait, I'm not really here, this isn't happening, this is part of the Iomedae test. They don't intend to purify me of my love and hate do they? then talking quietly he says "You can't have them, what I care about is what makes me who me. If that is what it'll take to purify me you might as well reject me now."
"I have done nothing." Anwel's high voice quavers at the sight and smell of the macabre tableau, and of the Shadowcountess in the midst of it. He takes a breath to steady himself. It does not help. "This is not real." How could it be? Anwel recognizes many of these men and women, but time would have taken them by now even if the purges had not. If this were his doing, others, strangers, would be filling this hall. And, much as he hated to admit it, he would not be feeling so guilty over the murders of opportunists and betrayers.
Anwel walks among the bodies until he finds his own old seat, to the left and behind Darl. Dimly he is aware that the Shadowcountess is following him, but he only has eyes for his lost friend. The poet lies slumped over his desk, a deep dagger mark smoking with wispy shadowstuff marring his back. Anwel recognizes that kind of wound. He memorized the very spell this morning. He looks down at his hands. The meaning could not be plainer.
"You should thank him," he says to the Shadowcountess, not looking up. "One shade to another." Shade or no, Anwel cannot stop himself choking up. "Were it not for the promise I made him, I would not have found my way to you. Had I not broken it, I would not have surrendered so easily." Gingerly, he places his hand on Darl's shoulder. "I wonder, old friend, would you have forgiven me?"
Phedre slowly seats herself. "Thank you, Litinius." Is all she could manage to say. This is just a dream, just a dream, just a dream... she repeats to herself mentally. Seeing her father like this caught her off guard, and being married to this pompous lordling... Never! she reminded herself. But if this is Iomedae's will...
Phedre pushes aside that line of thought and listens to the conversation at hand. She observes her surroundings closely, looking for anything that could be used for self defense if the need arose.
Litinius releases a wicked smile and continues to speak before your father can answer.
"Actually, your opinion no longer matters. I have already spoken to the High Inquisitor and a decision has been made."
Your father's knuckles go white as he suddenly grips his chair and for the first time in your life, you sense fear creeping into your father's person. "But...What? You have no right." Your father says, trying to recover from this new information, but Litinius cuts him off with a blow to the face.
"I have all the right old man." He says with a sneer. "Your position has been compromised for years. The time has come for you and your blasphemous family to be dealt with." The sound of doors being thrown open and stifled screams from some of the servants suddenly echo into the study. "This house and all of its contents are being confiscated. You will face the Inquistion. And your daughter will be obedient or she will be sent to the Temple Convent for...reeducation."
"Guards!" He shouts and is quickly answered by the study door opening and three burly temple guards enter the study and begin to take your father away.
"Or is the lesson to choose an answer?" Faith is an important theme in the Acts, after all. Anwel considers his options. He can choose to believe Darl would have forgiven him. Promises are important to humans, to be sure, but not as sacred as they are to his people. And the poet had been an optimist in life. Or Anwel can choose to believe that Darl begrudged him his betrayal until his end, along with the other counter-revolutionaries who brought down the Council. But what is the difference in the end? If he chooses either answer, Anwel will be putting the question behind him. "No. It is to learn to live without one." He shuts his eyes. A tear escapes through his lashes, and he brushes it away. Darl is dead. He will never be able to give Anwel absolution, and despite Anwel's guilt over Darl, he wasn't the one Anwel had hurt most. Anwel will have to forgive himself, for greater betrayals than simple neglect.
Still, there are small blessings. At least Dima had been just as unreal as everything else. Anwel pushes away from the wall and steps toward the gray light.
The fiends, they have drugged her. Well alright, not much of a surprise really. He thinks watching at his 'true love' marrying the pretender king. If he dies before the wedding night then the marriage will be annulled. I should find somewhere to kill him. Somewhere quiet and secluded. Andrei looks around and sees the crossbow bolt. Glistening with poison, while the false king might have guards hiding to take out any problems, in fact he probably does, but poison is the weapon of an assassin. Who is the target? Andrei looks again at the wedding party leaving. It doesn't matter, my Elanna would be better off dead and all the others deserve to die. His train of thought continues Powerful priests can keep poison from doing its work. I can aid this assassin by preventing the high priest from reaching the victim in time, distract him and them 'accidentally' trip him as he hurries to help."
Andrei start making his way to the altar and the high priest.
Mustering all the authority that she could force into her voice, she bellows out a single command to the three guards.
"HALT!" Standing up she faces Litinius. "I demand a Trial by Combat. If you want to get rid of us so badly, then stop being a coward and settle this right now. Guards, you shall provide witness. When I win, you will release my father."
Anwel and Warren, the hall you each follow leads to another open circular room. As you step into the light you see your companion step through a similar doorway across the room. A ring of fire burns in the center of the room, its flames give off a strange gray light. There is no clear source for the fire, it simply seems to be burning on the stone itself. After a few seconds, you notice the same priest standing near the flames.
"You have faced the first trial of the mind, but the cleansing is not yet complete." He gestures toward the ring of fire. "You must past through the flames of purification before you can face the demon beyond."
The high priest tries to rush to the victim's side and save her but your efforts to block his way are successful.
"Out of the way you fool!"" He shouts. "I must try to save the king's sister."
It is at this point you hear the sound of swordplay coming from the reception hall.
"Truly remarkable." He says while shaking his head. "Do you think you are a knight to seek such a trial? These delusions have truly made you mad."
He steps closer to the guards and your father. "Well perhaps it is time to see just how little power you have here." Drawing a large dagger it is obvious he intends to kill your father unless you step between the two.
Anwel smiles at the sight of Warren. Of course he would make it through with little trouble. "We all come out here, hmm?" he says to the priest. "Have our friends passed through the fire yet?" Not that he thinks Vrag, Andrei, or Phedre would have left him and Warren behind—the trek to Rassada's grove proved as much—but if they came out individually they might not have realized they did not have to continue on alone. "If not, may we wait for them? It seems only right that we all go through together, if we can."