Siobhan's fantasy epic of eipc fantasy (open, PM me first)

[WeaverofWorlds]

The guards helpful deluge of information was... disheartening. While local shrines and wayside chapels were well and good, if the local population couldn't reach the true temple beneath... but no, that wasn't something to consider right now. First, he'd have to gain access to the undercity, which meant he'd need either coin enough to pay his way or a writ of passage. Or, perhaps, he could find an alternative among the less reputable members of society. Distasteful perhaps, but he'd dealt with their kind before, as their ears were sometimes the first to hear of undeath plaguing a town. That would be a last resort however.

"Mother Raven, if it pleases you, I require aid."

His voice was a whisper, drowned out by the hustle and bustle of the street. But the raven above seemed to hear him and took flight, winging over the city streets unnoticed by those below save for one. He followed quickly, slipped into the flow of traffic, following in his guides wake. Soon enough the main street turned into one of many side streets, the raucous noise fading into a dull hum as Valen found himself in one of many of the residential districts. A few more minutes of travel and he'd found where Mother Raven guided, a small shrine tucked between two buildings. The bird stood upon it's simple wooden frame, croaking at him as if in encouragement. Valen knelt before it, eyes closing and hands coming to rest over his heart as he mouthed the words of a silent prayer. For a moment he could feel the divine power within stir, but it was not needed here. Someone was tending to the shrine well, it even had a small bouquet of hyacinths, the Twins preferred flower.

"Hello?"

A voice interrupted his prayer, a not unwelcome interruption. He'd been led here for help, and hopefully this interruption was the help he sought. Valen finished his work before standing, brushing some of the dirt from his pant legs as he turned to the source of the voice.

 

[JonathanBair]

post for Gale

Jon was breathing hard from the excitement. It was a easy kill, but he had never been attacked like that by a animal. The pain also in his foot from the bite was leading him to breath a bit harder too. Tho he didn't know anything about wolf bites, but he did know of dog bites. Long as he gets his foot clean he knows he should be fine. The adrenaline flowing threw his body tho helped numb the pain somewhat.... Just as he was coming off the high from the fight. Jon heard a new sound. Jon's mind raced, to replay the fight. Trying to think if there was a second wolf that was with this one, that he some how missed. Jon pivoted sinking the shield bottom to the ground. His right foot back in front with his toes anchoring the base in place with his right shoulder and knee in place to use the shield as a wall if need be. Jon's left hand drawn back to his center with the sword pointing out to the river along the left side of his shield in the basic stance he knew to be in for a fight. From this he could hold his ground letting his attacker wear them self's out on his shield and using his sword to keep them in front, or he could do a springing thrust with the shield as a hard ram. A heavy shield and his large mass would give him a heck of a hit should he be short range shield on shield kind of thing. Then he heard the female voice saying "While I would have like that kill for myself, I am glad your battle was a successful one."

The new voice had him realize this was no wolf that he was facing. Jon quickly got into a more normal stance and lowered his sword as moved out from behind his allowing it to swing to the right of him in a more natrule standing with it attached to his right forearm. Jon said " I am sorry about that, I must be a bit jumpy from that wolf acting so odd." Jon extended his right arm to allow his free hand to move to her extended hand and arm. Jon smiles and says " I am Jonathan, but feel free to call me Jon. Would you like to join me in camp I can get the coals going into a small fire for us. If you would like to stay a bit."


Jon is friendly and welcoming, but is unsure what to think of this woman coming from with in the river. He is passively guarder in-case she is a thief, but is open minded to getting to know her.... Even with her odd way of traveling by swimming the river rather the walking along its banks.

 

[siobhancan99]

Replying to Clancy

Kasia leaned into the touch, then put her hand over his and tangled her fingers in his. she Looks up at him for a moment, then closes her mouth and nods. She unfolds from the chair and opens a leather wallet containing lengths of wire and a few other tools. she makes sure it's all there, then closes everything up and tucks it away "its only a few hours down there but still. If you uh... stay here tonight it's best you have someone look over your cat." She brushes past him as she moves to get a little food for the trip "accidentally" running her hand along his ass. "so, human, will you be able to see down there with a spell or do we need some torches?" She leans into hima little and playfully nips at his ear "I don't want you to be all lost in the dark."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

The voice came from a middle aged man, dressed in the somber and unadorned black garb of the lay priests of the twins. He had at his waist the knotted chord that was the symbol of his office. "If you're looking for a particular grave, I'm afraid there are cemetaries all about." Most did not pray to the twins directly unless praying for the soul of a loved one. The man stood respectfully off to the side "But the order does keep records of burials...at least long enough back that a man of your age would be able to find anyone he knew." The man's eyes flick to the Raven "unless.. you're just praying. In which case, I am Marko. Please let me know if you need anything"

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

"Marko. I am Valen, a servant of the Twins, or however they are known within the city."

The paladin was not adorned with any obvious marking of his station or place. It was normally a helpful habit, to avoid unwanted attention. In matters of proving one's identity to a fellow servant, however, it made things a bit more difficult. Thankfully, his mistresses had gifted him other ways to display his service. The croaking raven behind him of course, still perched upon the shrine behind him, was generally an abstract sign of her favor. But more immediately useful a small amount of his divine power, called up to glow within the palm of his hand and displayed to the priest before him.

"I have need to reach the undercity and the temple proper." Or at least, that was his goal until some other reason for being led to the city made itself known. "Do you happen to know of any way I might acquire a writ of passage? Or the coin needed to pay off those in my path? Or, perhaps you know why the Twins might call a paladin here."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

Marko smiles and nods "the coin isn't much. A gold sovereign. There's treasure below, though the bits near the known entrances are picked over. The Duke charges adventurers for access." he shifts "But I can write you a pass saying you're travelling for religious reasons to the temples. We call them the sister's here. " he shifts "Valen... that's a Homine's name. you know they viewed the goddess as one with two faces. That's how you will see her displayed below, but we all call them the sisters. The Clergy below as well, so no worries there about offending." He gestures "if you follow me into my rectory, I can get you a pass."

As he turns "as for your second question... the city is built on the ruins of another. There was a cataclysm and some of the dead below are unquiet. It could be that.."

 

[EnthralledByYou]

Clancy Dunne | Age: 33 | Profession: Gun Mage | City: Gradzlata

"Human? We have to work on your pet names; that just isn't gonna work. But yes, I can take care of the night vision thing without drawing attention to ourselves. However, I am not sure about our charge. So I can create light for him. That way, we can save equipment space." He looked over at her and smiled, "It may be smart for us to stay close to each other the next few days. You know for the mission." He winked at her.

They assembled the rest of the things needed in Kasia's apartment and headed several blocks over. Clancy's apartment was in a nicer area, but it also meant his money didn't go as far. His room wasn't much bigger than ten by ten.

The east-facing window cast a bright beam of sunlight onto the long cat spayed in the midding of the floor. Bossyboot's fur was striped with different shades of grey, but all her feet were solid black. She got up when she saw Fitzroy come in, meowing almost incessantly until he pet and fed her.

Clancy's apartment consisted of his bed that appeared to have been unmade by the cat. A small stove rested on the opposite side of the room. Next to the stove sat the sad remains of a plant that Bossyboots had eaten all the leaves off. And he had several books in a bookcase that looked like it was testing its limits. He also had a small dresser and a green trunk that sat in the corner.

"Not fancy, but good enough to get a decent night's sleep in." By the stack of books next to the bed, it was clear that he spent a lot of time in the apartment.

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

A gold sovereign. Not much indeed, at least for someone with access to a regular income. For Valen, whose work consisted of the inglorious destruction of the undead and sanctifying of crypts, money was something of a limited and precious resource. The Twins frowned upon looting from those who deserved their final rest, and the paladin wouldn't be much of a paladin if he didn't abide by such ideals. What money he did have, little as it was, was more the offerings of grateful villagers, a meagre amount usually.

As to the religious differences, they meant little beyond another name and face. At times Sisters, at others Twins, sometimes Mothers, others Daughters. The only consistency Valen had ever seen was that there were always two, always connected, and always watching over the Dead. He'd have to remember to keep watch over his mouth though, many might be confused if he referred to them as the Twins when they were known as the Sisters.

He followed the man into the refectory, waiting patiently while he scribbled whatever words were needed to get him through the checkpoint. As he did so, Valen contemplated the catacombs. He'd known, through hear say, that the catacombs below the city were ancient, and that such places might be house the restless dead. Certainly that might be reason enough for him to be called, but surely if that were it Mother Raven would have led him here sooner... best not to think on it too much, at least for now. If needs be he could stay within the city, put to rest some of the dead and see what needed to be seen.

"I don't suppose you know if there's been any signs of the dead being roused more than usual? Or rumors of someone disturbing a resting place they shouldn't have?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Kasia grins her too wide grin "I'll call you 'human' if i want" she winks and blows a little kiss, then heads on after him. She looks around the little room, admiring the spartan quality of it "nothing to steal here but books." Books were fucking expensive, but most thieves wouldn't know the value of them and so they usually left them be. Besides they were heavy and rare enough to be easy to trace if they reappeared. "as for sticking close to you, well. that can be arranged" she flirted lightly, but more in the typical Kasia way of being casual (Kasual?) about it. "I don't suppose you have rope and pitons in here do you? Also i've a little something for emergencies but i need something to make fire. do you have a tinderbox? in case i'm not next to you I mean. I assume you're wizard enough to make fire."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

"Son, you are in the shadow of the Demonska Planina and over the souls of 100,000 slain by the gods themselves. There is no 'more than usual' unfortunately. Fortunately they mostly keep to the underground and bother those that go to rob their tombs. The church here learned a century ago that interfering with the scavengers and the coin they provide the Ducal coffers was folly... so we mostly sit back and let them be slaughtered, then search for their bodies to give them proper rest. Well, at least those below do. I mostly tend to the grieving and properly bury the newly dead." He hands over the parchment, after affixing his seal in wax.

"The thing is, if something terrible had awoken, those of us above wouldn't be told. This is a city built on commerce and terrible undead monstrosities are bad for business. Whatever is down there... or even perhaps up here... you should speak to the priestesses."

 

[EnthralledByYou]

Clancy Dunne | Age: 33 | Profession: Gun Mage | City: Gradzlata

"I think there is a tinder box by the stove. It was here when I moved in. I assume left by the last owner. No climbing gear, though; we'll have to pick that up." He watched her scan the room.

"Kasia. Look, I hate to be morbid, but better to talk about it now instead of never." He took her hands in his, "I know you owe a lot to Jozep. If, for any reason, I don't make it back. Sell the books and the contents of my trunk. My guns would get a reasonable price due to the modifications too. It won't clear your debt, but maybe would make a dent." He smiled affectionately at her. He thought back to the times they ran together in the past, how he admired her from afar, and how much nicer it was to just be himself with her.

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

Marko was making a fair point, but that did little to assuage Valen's concerns. All the more reason to hate the political nonsense of the larger cities and trade hubs of the world. But if Mother Raven called him hear and Daughter Wolf wished him set to his grim work, so it would be. He accepted the now sealed letter and stowed it away safely, offering a nod of thanks to the priest. Despite everything, the man's help was much appreciated, and it seemed as if the best place for answers truly was in the undercity.

"Thank you for your help, Marko. I'll see my way to the Temple, and hopefully whatever reason I am here can be found quickly. If you'll excuse me."

With nothing more to say, Valen was gone, making his way through the streets once more. The guard that had let him into the city had been kind enough to offer directions, such as they were, and with only a little difficulty the paladin had made his way into the catacombs beneath the city. If anyone had been around to notice, the moment he'd gotten passed the checkpoint and into the darkened, torchlit depths he'd visibly relaxed. This... this was more what he was used to, the scent of stale air, of dampness, the flickering shadows. Many would consider it eerie, and it was, but Valen had spent his life hunting through similar places.

It wasn't long before he'd found the Temple itself. His entry went unnoticed by what few people were in attendance before the great statue that dominated one end of the chapel itself. Those that were either huddled in small groups, families grieving someone's passing, or kept to themselves for their own private prayer. In his case, Valen stepped as quietly as could be managed down the central walkway, careful to avoid interrupting others, stopping before the statue. It was somewhat unique in his eyes, usually the Twins were given a statue of their own. Within the Whisperwood the Twins sometimes even had their own shrines, Raven and Wolf set apart so as to insult neither. But It seemed here was different, even if some of the themes were the same.

"Mother Raven, guide me to your will. Daughter Raven, seek what must be done. Mother Wolf, protect we who go to you. Daughter Wolf, hunt those that would desecrate our rest."

The words were spoken quietly, but within the quiet chamber they echoed nonetheless. Some of those who'd come to pray looked up at him sharply, and Valen bowed his head apologetically. He hadn't meant to insult, but rather draw the Twin's attention to this place more fully. Still, with his simple prayer done within the main place of his Goddess' worship, he glanced around, seeking one of their Priestesses, and wondering if they separated themselves as those of the Whiserwood did, between Raven and Wolf. Or perhaps along some other line.

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Kasia's face darkens "don't even. We're all coming back from this. honestly there shouldn't even be a problem. The old man just feels guilty throwing his less favored son into the darkness and would tear himself up in guilt and grief if something happened to the kid. This is glorified baby-sitting with the world's most spoiled baby. A man with a sword and the lack of sense about when to draw it or not" she kisses Clancy's cheek and softens "you're sweet though. to look after me. I'll.... we can talk about it when we get back." she runs her hand along his chest, then pushes away. "lets get some stuff. we've got food, stuff in case we have to climb. get a pickaxe or a shovel in case there's a cave in..." in the shifting substrata of the City, that was the biggest danger of all. The catacombs were formed by the impact of the mountain and they never seemed to truly settle. Passages that had existed for decades would suddenly disappear. "I've got a letter of credit. We can stop by the store near the entrance by the family crypt"

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

The temple was lit by a dim light that seemed to originate from everywhere and nowhere at once. Through the dim came a form at the end of his prayer. A woman, dressed in mail beneath a robe. The coif of her mail was drawn around a lovely face. She was tall and wisps of blonde hair slipped from the edge of the coif. Probably a Ludowy, and when she spoke that was confirmed by the accent to her Homines. "Good day, traveller" she folds her arms "Welcome to the Temple of the Sisters in Gradzlata. Come, eat and be refreshed." it was not an offer made by the temple to those who were not members, as succor for the living was decidedly outside of its purview "we can discuss the meaning of your travel and you can inform me of the world beyond."

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

A Wolf Priestess.

The name might not actually be what she called herself, perhaps something else, but the Priestesses he knew more familiarly would dress the way she was only if they served the Wolf. The more militant of the two branches. Though he was getting ahead of himself again, assuming the local temple organized itself as the Whisperwood did. He silently berated himself for falling back into old expectations and instead bowed his head slightly to the woman.

"It would be my honor to accept your hospitality, Sister Wolf."

It was the only title he had to give her despite just moments ago noting the differences in their exact methods of worship, but she hadn't offered a name after all. He supposed that introductions would best be handled away from the sanctity of the chapel hall. He followed after the priestess, into a side room that was likely used as for dining. Valen waited only for the gesture of invitation before taking a seat, content to led the priestess take the lead in the dealings. He was here to help, not upset whatever balance the temple had with the city. He accepted a bowl of stew from one of the various temple attendants, a young girl just beginning her induction into the temple proper, before turning his attention once more to the Priestess.

 

[EnthralledByYou]

Clancy Dunne | Age: 33 | Profession: Gun Mage | City: Gradzlata

Clancy nodded in agreement. Then he went and knocked on his neighbor's door. A girl of about ten with short blond hair answered. "Hey, Tryn. I am going to be out for a few days. Can you take care of Boots for me?"

"Sure!" She squeaked, clearly excited.

Clancy laughed at her exuberance. "Okay, great. Here's my key, and here is three silver. Should cover whatever you need for food and keep the rest for looking after her. Oh, and here, give this gold to your mom. She mentioned her pay was cut, and rent is due in a couple days."

"Thanks, Clancy!" She cheered again as she gave him a hug around the waist, which he returned. Then she went back inside and called, "See you when you get back," before closing the door.

Clancy walked back to Kasia, "Okay, cat, all taken care of. Lead on to our next destination."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

"Sister Jadzia" she moves along with the paladin into the living area of the temple. the light here comes from candles and not some magical glow. she sits and eats some berries as he digs into his meal. She watches him and once she's sure he's had his fill she sets her berries aside "so you come from afar... you were led here by a vision i take it? given how you gave no explanation to Marko and indeed seemed to have no idea why you were here" she shifts a bit, taking the vestments off to simply sit across from her in her chain. "not to say we can't use you. There's always something occuring here. Whether in the catacombs or the city above. The last paladin coming through this way died a sixmonth ago, just after the new year."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

After a brief stop at the outfitter, Kasia takes him to the nearest entrance to the catacombs by the Tomb. She has a map, and she pulls it out. at the entrance to the lower levels, she haggles with the guards, whines and wheedles, and makes them count out several hundred copper pieces to let the two of them down. she grins as they move away "fucking tax collectors. assholes" she had gold and silver on her, but wasn't about to give them the satisfaction "whatever you're gonna do to see, now's a good time" she moves just beyond the last of the torchlight "even if you do probably want to put your hands on me and make me lead you around"

 

[EnthralledByYou]

Clancy Dunne | Age: 33 | Profession: Gun Mage | City: Gradzlata

Clancy reached into his jacket and pulled out a pair of welding goggles. What was only a moment for Kasia seemed to span a longer breadth of time for Clancy as he cast a complex sequence of Rune and other markers perfectly memorized to set the qualities of the spell into the lenses, and then the last component was the energy to power the spells. The goggles lasted many hours and used less energy than his guns for one shot, so they were worth it.

He put the goggles on, and the shadows receded. The room looked uniform, no awkward pockets of dark and light. It was a little dim, though. "Lighter," he said out loud, more out of habit. His vision lightened.

"There we go, crystal clear." He looked at Kasia, "I look like a gnome with giantism, don't I." He said with humor intended, but they didn't look very trendy.

 

[siobhancan99]

Kasia snorts "you wish you looked only that ridiculous" she headsinto the catacombs, moving deftly along the tunnels. she brings Clancy close to the opening of the family crypt. she looks over at clancy, then down at a little chasm "this is not on the map" she looks over it, judging it to be about 10 feet "you got anything to put yourself on the other side of that?" she unpacks the rope from her bags "or should i jump it?"

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

"Valen, Paladin of the Twi- the Sisters."

He'd caught himself nearly falling into his own customary worship. Others might not care, indeed many didn't, but he still tried his best to conform to local practices when it seemed appropriate. Within a temple to them in the form of the Sisters, he felt it was appropriate.

"And I was brought here by Mother Raven. Or perhaps one of her many eyes and ears. I go where she guides, nothing more." He supposed you might call that a vision, in so much as visions were just the guidance of the gods at times. But that was a matter for philosophers of the divine. He preferred to keep himself focused on more important matter. Earthly matters.

"I hope their soul finds peace alongside our Mistresses. Was there any word of their purpose here?"

 

[siobhancan99]

Response to Valen

Jadzia smiles "Marko sent word of you through the globes" she shifts, not explaining though probably some magical device "i see he was not wrong. First, in regards to the twins, or the sisters in Judow we call them the mother and the daughter. The mother offers the shelter of her breast for the dead for eternity and the daughter puts those that do not rest quietly to rest forcibly. Please refer to them as is your custom. We all worship the same two goddesses, and how they reveal themselves to us is a matter of culture. I do not want you to feel uncomfortable. After all, we are in the temple of a people that worshipped them as one goddess." she makes a face "but the Homines felt 13 was a lucky number. We Judowy and the Volk believe it to be cursed. The number of the pantheon would thus be different."

She shifts "your predecessor was killed... supposedly... on an expedition into the deep catacombs. Some adventurers found the ruins of a tower occupied by what they believed to be a Lich, and the Lich had summoned undead servants. He went with them to the tower. THe one that returned with his body said he and the remaining group were slaughtered by the Lich. However... Ulrich had been tracking what he said was a powerful undead in the City above. I am not convinced he was not merely murdered. So it may be you were drawn here to investigate in the City above. I warn you though those are some rarified circles he had to travel in. "

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Clancy

Kasia gasps and her face lights up like a child. "That is amazing" she shifts a little and stares at it in awe. then takes some ropes and ties them to a nearby rocky outcripping, then takes some pitons and nails them into the wall. she ties a rope to that as well and starts heading across "in case we have to run the fuck out of here in a hurry I figure we should have a backup plan" she moves over to the other side of the bridge, staring at it with a sense of wonder, reaching out to poke it a few times even though she just walked across it "Clancy this is undeniably ... I mean... that's just incredible."

 

[WeaverofWorlds]

Valen mulled over Jadzia's words, considering it all. A lich beneath the city, even the rumor of one, was certainly a concern. But the catacombs were cut off from the rest of the city, guards capable of holding off any threats. If a lich did try to break through to the surface, it was almost certain that the city's guard would mobilize. Of more concern was what his fellow paladin had been hunting above. If something worthy of investigation was hiding within the city...

"The nobles then. Do you recall if he had anyone he trusted, someone that could help me continue his work? If there's a threat within the city it needs to be found."

 

[siobhancan99]

Reply to Valen

Jadzia thinks "he had some things, you can go through them. He also mentioned a friendship with a southerner. A Sewochi named Ibrahim. He may or may not know anything about what was going on above. He had a house in the lower part of the heights. I'll look for an address for you. Other than that he said it was an insidious thing, infecting and corrupting the halls of power in the city above. He didn't elaborate much" she pauses "Valen, I do not want to send you down a false path. Your predecessor was ... committed. but sometimes he didn't see everything around him because he was too focused on his own thoughts. There may be nothing there. There may be the worst thing imaginable up there. Please approach this with an open mind."