.
Dotting
dot
dotted
This is my dot.
Last night, a bright glow appeared in all of the Cathedral’s windows simultaneously. The last time that happened in recorded memory was moments before Iomedae stepped out of the Cathedral and into godhood. So in the early morning light, a crowd begins to build around the bottomless chasm, waiting to see what would happen. Waiting to see history made yet again as, maybe, a new god arose.
It wasn’t any big secret that Hazim Masoumi had entered the Cathedral to take the test, although after two weeks, most folks had simply given up on him. Now, perhaps, the champion of Rahadoum and Iomedae would emerge victorious. Hundreds were already gathering to worship him.
There are many possible reasons why the PCs might be there. They might be initiate clerics of other faiths, sent by their superiors to witness and report the birth of a new god. They might be on the City Watch, tasked with maintaining order and safety. They might be pickpockets and thieves there to prey on a distracted multitude. They might be sages from near or far, drawn by rumours of the ascension. Or they might be random citizens, satisfying their idle curiosity.
Whatever their reason, fate has drawn them close to each other, and to stand nearby to the oldest human any of them has ever seen. Sitting at his arthritic ease in a lowered sedan chair with the Eye of Aroden prominently displayed on its sides, he seems to be almost asleep as he waits patiently in the early dawn hours. Whispers in the crowd around him speak of Albar Tolion, the last human cleric of Aroden, the last living human to ever receive and cast a spell granted by the Dead God, with an equal mix of admiration and ridicule.
As the sun crests over the buildings to the east and the first ray of sunlight strikes the main doors of the Cathedral, they open, and a man walks out. He staggers, as if in a daze; his clothes are torn, his face smudged and smeared with blood, his linen head wrap askew and stained with red. The crowd is silent as the man circles the Cathedral to a point opposite your group, at the foot of the broken bridge of Aroden; they gasp as the man walks onto the remains of the bridge, and then out into the void. He stops a moment, as if unsure himself, but with each step he takes, stone appears beneath his feet. The man crosses the chasm and steps off the restored bridge onto the outer rim; the crowd backs away in fear and awe, as he raises his arms above his head and proclaims in a loud voice that booms across all of Absalom, “I am Masoumi!”
In that moment, as the sound of that voice reverberates across the crowd, nobody dares stir, until one small, elderly voice nearby cries out, “My god! I can feel you! My lord, Aroden!” and Albar Tolion, who has not cast a divine spell in one hundred and five years, raises his hands and light blossoms in front of him. The light lasts a second before a stunned crowd, and a stunned Masoumi, before it falters and fades, and Tolion cries out in anguish, clutching his chest.
A voice from the crow proclaims, “Masoumi brings with him the restoration of the New Age!” and the mobs resurge around the new god, already forgetting the old. But Albar Tolion, his faced mixed with equal portions of age, grief, and hope, reaches out his hands towards you, with one final request on his lips.
As events unfold around you, you find yourself a step-and-a-half from the frail old man as he plummets towards the hard cobbles…
While the new god radiates strength and power, the frail old man near his feet radiates a different kind, and something about it is compelling…
Yet despite the magnificent display before him, there is something about the weakness in the frail old man that tugs at Ty’s protective urges…
Alexis has not taken her eyes off of the old man since he cried out that Aroden himself is returned to the world. If that old man is right perhaps Taldor is not doomed to collapse in on its self. Deeply confused about the events that have unfolded Alexis move to try to catch the seemingly forgotten elderly man.
Thanephos grabs at his notes, then crawls through the crowd to the old man, pulling himself to his side and listening closely to what he appears to be saying. He yells out to the City Watch,
Help, somebody help him!
No save of skill check, he's not falling that far or fast.
The old man feels as light as a feather in Alexis' arms.
Thanephos calls for help, but nobody listens, though he does see a lithe woman who was standing nearby catch the old man with cat-like reflexes.
Assessing the situation as a soldier, Ty sees that the lowered sedan chair is not defensible and the old man could be trampled if the crowd were to grow too excited. He'll make his way to chair, gently but purposefully pushing his way through the crowd.
Joneth regards what appears to be a new god, a new Ascended, with golden eyes for a moment or two before turning to the old man, lying seemingly helpless at the one called Masoumi's feet. The decision to act comes easily to him as he moves forward, his intention to help the elder to his feet or at the very least shield him from the crowd. It appears however that someone else is not only closer, but faster as well, as a woman is already by the old priest's side, helping him up.
"Is he alright?" His voice is steady, his tone calm and collected despite what is certainly quite the awe-inspiring event unfolding in front of everyone's eyes.
Joneth regards what appears to be a new god, a new Ascended, with golden eyes for a moment or two before turning to the old man, lying seemingly helpless at the one called Masoumi's feet. The decision to act comes easily to him as he moves forward, his intention to help the elder to his feet or at the very least shield him from the crowd. It appears however that someone else is not only closer, but faster as well, as a woman is already by the old priest's side, helping him up.
"Is he alright?"
"I'm a healer." Athar doesn't raise his voice as he draws close.
Perhaps if Aroden truly has returned, Cheliax could once more be the nation it was in those operas Armand once so delighted in - but Athar isn't sure that Cheliax deserves to be that nation again. The greater implications and repercussions are brushed aside, however, in favor of that which is before him - an ailing old man in need of aid.
There is someone in front of him who needs help.
Athar's hand reaches out, alighting on the aged priest's hand, magic flowing through the touch. "I am afraid that a balm for the affliction of age is beyond my skill," he confesses. There isn't a thought to what he may be missing by turning his attention away from Hazim Masoumi. If Hazim Masoumi could not understand how precious a life was, greater in import than glory, then he would not be a divninity Athar could choose to follow.
Healing energy flows into the old man, and although, as Athar already said, the magic is not able to halt the affliction of age, it at least eases his discomfort slightly. Despite the aid, however, the natural end of his life is clearly at hand.
Daniel rushes towards the old man. Stunned and amazed at his display of divine power. He quickly maneuvers through the crowd to catch him but instead finds him held by a woman. He quickly kneels and takes the weight from woman. Giving a thankful nod.
sir Tolion. What is it? What is wrong? I cannot heal you, I have yet to reach that stage in my path...
He looks up to the man as he tries to help Tolion with his magic thank you. he then goes back to aiding the elder.
Concerned for how frail the elderly holy man feels and fearing that he might die Alexis shifts how she is holding him. She cradles the frail man in her arms shielding as much of him as she can with her thin form. Once she is settled into a position she thinks is better for him she begins to talk. Sir are you certain that that man is Aroden returned to the world? How could you know that? What is he going to do. Will the Age of Glory finally rise? She a wild and desperate sound to her voice.
Alexis stares at the young man with a bitterness rising until she realizes he knows the old man. Compassion and pity rise up erasing the bitterness. Filling her with anger at herself. I should have not badgered a dying man with my questions.
Albar Tolion lets a long breath rattle out of his lungs. At first, you fear he might have just died then and there, but after a heartbeat or two, he sucks air in again.
His eyes try to focus on your faces, but they seem haunted by some distant sight.
”I…I saw a vision. All humanity bound in slavery for all time. It must not come to pass. Aroden…this is all wrong. It wasn’t supposed to be this way…he wasn’t supposed to…supposed to…there is an ancient evil, in there…” he trails off a moment, pointing towards the Cathedral. ”It seeks to bind us all. It must be stopped. I saw…I saw…a key. The first step. You must redeem the Inheritor’s cloak. Take this!” He presses his holy symbol, the Eye of Aroden wrought from mithral, into Daniel's hand. ”I know not why, but you will need it. Redeem the cloak from the evil that holds it, or all…” With a final rattle, the breath leaves Albar Tolion for the last time.
As Daniel takes the mithral holy symbol of Aroden, light from somewhere catches the silvery metal and flashes out to fill the six of you. Inside, you feel, different. Your heads spin momentarily as images of great deeds fill your imagination, perhaps deeds you perform yourself, perhaps not. You see a vision of Absalom from high above, rising out of the sea. You see a vision of Desna laughing playfully as Irori quirks an eyebrow at her mirth. You see a vision of a beautiful, angelic creature of light and power. You see a vision of pain.
As you come back to your senses, you realize that only a second or two has passed, the crowd still focused on Masoumi. Whatever that light was, you feel different inside your skin.
Alexis lunges forward the man who healed the now dead holy man. She grabs his arm and begs Fix him! He cant be gone. I do not understand. What was that vision? Is Aroden really returned or is it a monster instead?
No, Sir Tolion!, Sir Tolion! After a few moments of shock Daniel lays the man back to rest on his chair and closes his eyes. For several long moments he stares at the holy symbol then back to the now dead Tolion.
Finally he speaks.
Go now and be at peace, sit by Aroden if he truly has returned.
A small thing but Daniel was never good with prayer and reverence.
He looks to the new god, then back to the cathedral where the old man claimed was great evil. How? Could the old man have lost touch with reality in the end? no, that couldn't be it, but would anyone believe him now that Tolion was dead?
Now is not the time to grieve, I need to speak with Darien, perhaps he will know more on this matter...
Daniel slowly places the mithril symbol around his neck, placing the eye under his armor, knowing it could still see all. He looks around for others that he knows within the crowd, Plans must be made, and investigations set in motion.
Would they do it though? Would the order believe the words of Tolion? Believe Daniels? He hadn't planned to return to the order yet, but perhaps it was something that could not be avoided. Seemingly for the first time Daniel Notices those around him.
Thank you, for helping him I mean, now I must investigate his last words, and if need be, fulfill his request.
"There was nothing you could do." Ty turns to face Masoumi and the newly remade bridge. "Symbolsm."
Thanephos bows his head, You did all you could. If you will take it, I would offer you my help with fulling his final request.
If Aroden is indeed returned, then maybe he, or Masoumi will save Galt. It's worth trying.
Alexis looks devastated while still gripping the unknown mans arm she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. After a few seconds exhales and opens her eyes. It is then that she seems to realize she is still clinging to a stranger. She leaps back looking started. A thousand apologies good Sir.
Athar shakes his head, expression solemn at the passing of the priest. "You need not apologize, I assure you. I am afraid that little short of a miracle of the highest order or druidic magic could now retrieve him. His passing is not an injury that could be healed - his span of time in this mortal coil has ended. I have done all I can for him." Though some measure of new power had flooded him, he instinctively understood that bringing back the deceased was still far beyond his power.
Though Athar was hesitant to loiter too long in one place, there was something strangely compelling about Tolion's words, given credence by the vision. Had the man given him a gift for his kindness? Had it been a result of bearing witness to the triumph of Hazim Masoumi? Had using his divine magic at that moment called to some sympathy from the Starstone?
Whatever the truth was... "... Far be it from me to deny a man's final wish." If what he spoke of was true, then only those here gathered knew the truth. The others might have some greater authority to turn to, to appeal to - Athar did not. Perhaps if he did, he might have sought out someone capable of casting a spell that would allow one to question the dead, but for now, he turned to glance at the triumphant Masoumi, taking measure of the man - or was it the measure of a god he was taking, now?
Suddenly, a bright glow washes over you in a wave. Looking up, you see Masoumi, the newly-ascended god, rising into the air on a shaft of sunlight. As he reaches a height of a hundred feet, he cups his hands together, seeming simultaneously to both offer a supplication and receive a gift. ”A gift to you all!” he proclaims. Fire fills his cupped hands, and he tosses the flames into the air. As the fire grows and falls, he vanishes, along with the shaft of light. Hundreds scream in terror as the fire expands to the size of the Ascendant Court and settles on all the people, though the screams cut off as the fire is without heat and does not burn.
Near to you, a young human boy, in imitation of the new god, cups his hands together, joking with his pals, until fire appear in his hands. The lad screams and throws his hands up in the air, putting out the flame. Hesitantly, he tries again, and although he flinches at the appearance of fire, he soon realizes that it produces no heat. His pals all cup their hands and produce their own heatless flames, save for one of the boys whose ears come to points. Those around them cup their hands together and create heatless flames as well, and soon, the whole of the Ascendant Court is a glow with flames held high in salute to Hazim Masoumi
Looking around, however, you notice several elves, dwarves, and halflings, many with cupped hands, but no flames appear. Several of them glance about, and decide a quick exit is in order.
With a frown Alexis looks around Right Aroden was the Humans God. What was I thinking? And that old man? A vision of the future or the delusions of a dying man? But I feel different... Sometimes greatness is thrust at you. I will see this through
Alexis looks at those around her and then drops her gaze to her fire-less cups hands I will aid you as well.
"What next?" Ty looks around for the people who carried Albar Tolion's chair.
Immediately Thanephos imitates the others around him in creating fire, staring in awe for a moment at the newly ascended Masoumi. Quickly, he puts out the fire and begins to scratch out notes upon a piece of parchment, as he does so, he frowns, I cannot help but feel that I've received some kind of power, I can't quite describe it, but it is as if I have, in some small way, begun to ascend. Am I going insane, or do you feel it as well?
"So, whatever this new god's gift is, it appears to be for those of human blood alone," Joneth says softly, speaking to noone in particular, as he takes note of who can and who cannot make the heatless flames appear. 'I wonder if I qualify,' he thinks to himself, bringing his hands together and imitating Masoumi's and the crowd's gesture.
Regardless of the act's result though, it is not the new Ascended's "gift" that holds his interest most, but the one that comes from the now dead old priest, at least as far as he can tell. That and his words of doom that came just before it.
Indeed, when Thanephos cups his hands, a heatless flame appears, lasting until he uncups his hands.
Joneth also cups his hands, and although a flame appears, it glows fitfully.
As he witnesses the others, Daniel too cups his hands, but when he does so, no flame appears.
why is their no flame?
Perhaps it is merely the close proximity to a new god His hand subconsciously moves to where the mithril symbol now hangs. then again.. I must speak with my mentor, He will know what to do, and how to do it. for now we must get away from this crowd, I propose meeting at the inn tonight, if any of you are willing to help me. I have a few matters to attend to involving the Late Sir Tolion, Once finished I will meet you there, if you are there I will take it as an offer of aid, if not, I understand, it wasn't your problem to begin with.
Daniel then looks around for Valla and the others.
Ty doesn't notice anybody specific who seems to have been the chair-bearers.
Daniel cups his hands. Although no heatless flame appears, he does feel as if something else could happen. Focussing on that, he feels power swell within him and, with some instinct telling him to aim up at the last second, a shower of sparks and lights fills a 20-foot cube above your heads for a second before disappearing.
then again.. I must speak with my mentor, He will know what to do, and how to do it. for now we must get away from this crowd, I propose meeting at the inn tonight, if any of you are willing to help me. I have a few matters to attend to involving the Late Sir Tolion, Once finished I will meet you there, if you are there I will take it as an offer of aid, if not, I understand, it wasn't your problem to begin with.
"What will you do with the body?"
Alas, it appears that Alexis did not receive the Gift.
Alexis lets her eyes drift to the dead man and speaks sounding a little hollow Would you mind if i accompanied you Sir?
Daniel stares up at the sparkling air, watching it slowly return to normal as he speaks.
I've but to find those that brought him. A proper funeral should be made for him.
strange, why was my gift different?
”Excuse me…pardon me! Oh, my. Sorry! Make way for the blessed of the Inheritor! Oh, Albar! No…”
A young woman arrives through the crowds with several armoured men behind her. She ignores the PCs for the moment, kneeling next to Tolion, taking his hand in hers, and brushing a stray lock of hair out of his eyes. She wears shining full plate, the symbol of a beautiful sword with a sunburst as a hilt emblazoned across her chest, and on the large shield slung on her back. She seems too slight of frame to bear the weight of so much metal, but she looks practiced in its wear. A longsword rests in its sheathe on her hip. The men with her are similarly attired, though where she looks gentle, and smells of musty books, the men have the look of trained and dedicated warriors.
”I saw him from across the courtyard…such a miraculous thing…” the young woman starts, before looking up at the PCs. ”I am Valla Timonae,” she says to most of you, then looks at Daniel. "Sir Proudmore, what happened?"
Daniel casts his eyes down for a moment. Then speaks Madame, Sir Tolion has passed on. But... before he went to be with Aroden, he spoke of a vision. It is a matter I would speak to you about, and Darien, if time permits in private. But the simple gist is this. Sir Tolion said he saw a vision of enslavement, that there is something wrong, evil, here. We can talk more in private, but for now we should see that the old man is laid to rest properly.
Daniel looked back towards the cathedral, then old man tolion, he had a lot to think about.
"He had a vision?" Valla asks, "And he spoke of it to all...six...of you here?" she adds, pausing to count.
Assuming folk nod or agree in some meaningful fashion, she purses her lips, thinking for a moment, then adds, "Would you all be willing to come with us, back to the Seventh Church? If Albar Tolion truly did make contact with Aroden, and had a vision of some kind, His Grace, Genedair the Faithful, would wish to hear of it, from as many witnesses as possible."
The words are delivered politely and respectfully, but you detect a certain assurance in her gaze that you will be coming along.
I cannot help but feel that I've received some kind of power, I can't quite describe it, but it is as if I have, in some small way, begun to ascend. Am I going insane, or do you feel it as well?
"You are not alone," Athar assures the man. "I feel it, too. And there was a glimpse of some strange vision... did you share that as well?"
As Masoumi's blessings rain down on those present, Athar observes the five gathered around Tolion and the differences in Masoumi's generosity. Tieflings are not unknown in Cheliax, and, at least to Athar, her horns and tail mark her as planetouched. The absence of light is telling - it's obvious that Masoumi has withheld his magnanimity from non-humans... but even Alexis, of human blood, is denied, because the new god does not deem her blood pure enough. Athar cannot say he feels this bodes anything but ill - though perhaps, he considers, he is allowing Tolion's final words to color her perceptions.
In turn, Athar cups his own hands, even as a woman approaches, the title of Iomedae on her lips...
"Would you all be willing to come with us, back to the Seventh Church? If Albar Tolion truly did make contact with Aroden, and had a vision of some kind, His Grace, Genedair the Faithful, would wish to hear of it, from as many witnesses as possible."
"If the Genedair you speak of has a priest with sufficiently adept proficiency, he might be able to hear answers from Albar Tolion himself. But I am not opposed to going with you, if not."
As Athar cups his hands, light appears.
"Speak with dead, you mean?" Valla asks, a touch of emotion touching her voice. "If necessary. I'd prefer to let dear Albar rest, after so long."
Thanephos nods confidently, Yes, Madame Timonae, that seems to be a good idea. I'll gladly come to your church, if it will provide closure of any kind regarding Sir Tolion, or any answers at all regarding this rather unusual situation.
Nothing he was not capable of before. Knowing himself that sometimes the touch of the gods comes at a price, he wonders if others in the crowd will find the same is true for them, now that they have been touched by Masoumi.
"Yes. I can understand the reluctance, of course."
His pounding heart finally slowing from the feeling that rushed through him when Albar Tolion passed, Ty nods his assent at Valla's request.