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[Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
This thread covers the four Temples of Dalachrech, one in Inside, one in Riverside, one in Underside and the Hermitage in Outside.
Reformed Temple of Dalachrech- Inside
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This building resembles most of the other terraced houses on this road, consisting of three floors, a small front garden, a front door and the same number of windows. However, unlike the other houses, the red front door has a knocker shaped like a two-tailed scorpion and also a sign post in the middle of the lawn. The sign is shaped as a two-tailed scorpion, and proudly states that this is the oldest Temple of Dalachrech in the Nexus, and home to the faithful in this city.
Attached Clergy
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Terrowin of Xela's Howe, the Twice Survivor, the Living Prophet, High Priest of Dalachrech and head of the congregation.
Destur Spritesson, gnome cleric of Dalachrech.
Jorje Hargonnen, human cleric of Dalachrech.
Gertrude de la Moy, 1/16th giant human cleric of Dalachrech; holds a minor noble title (Madame).
Lauretta, human cleric of Dalachrech
Samantha, spectre Novitiate of Dalachrech
Orthodox Hermitage of Dalachrech- Outside
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A vast door forged by a long-vanished race blocks the entrance to this old mine; the door is made of a mysterious, bronze-coloured metal that nobody knows how to make any more. The mine itself is in the side of a tall mountain, hidden in a cleft in the mountainside. Beyond the door is a large chamber decorated with dilapidated mining equipment, piles of rubble and old mine carts; passage further in appears to be blocked by a cave-in, but in fact that pile of rubble was engineered and there's a carefully concealed tunnel through it to deter explorers.
This location was chosen for its isolation. Please PM me before you turn up at the door.
Attached Clergy:
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Elezibethele, elvish Head Priestess of Dalachrech and Mistress of the Hermitage.
Azurelle D'Langley, aasimar Grand Mistress of the Order of the Centipede, a knightly order devoted to Dalachrech.
Kail, human student of Dalachrech, aiming to join the Order of the Centipede rather than the clergy.
Middling Temple of Dalachrech- Riverside, Northside
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A pair of semi-detached houses in Northside, with no major differences from the other houses along the road. The two houses have been made to appear dissimilar, to disguise the building's shared nature. The tiles don't match, a tall fence splits one garden from the other and so on.
This location has been carefully hidden; please contact me before entering it. It has been opened to the public.
Attached Clergy:
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Defelent A'dam, tiefling High Priest of Dalachrech.
Omid Janni cleric of Dalachrech.
Narahar half-elf cleric of Dalachrech, currently deceased.
Cassidy, Ritter of Sznovf and member of NO, human cleric of Dalachrech. Played by Rotting Baron.
Chthonic Temple of Dalachrech- Underside
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A selection of spider-silk cocoons tied to the ceiling of a large tunnel just outside the Undercity, to the West specifically. They are easy to spot; the structure is covered in glowing dog-sized beetles. There are two ways up, a silk rope ladder leading into one of the larger cocoons and a lift, consisting of a dried mushroom flesh platform attached to spider silk ropes. A bronze bell is nearby, likely to let those within the Temple know that somebody wants to use the lift. Beneath the Temple is a massive mosaic made of small tiles depicting a two-tailed scorpion, though there's no light to see it by.
Attached Clergy:
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Charynrae Baeld'alachrech, drider High Priestess of Dalachrech
Will, Rayaat'Tyr Novitiate of Dalachrech.
Ranks: Student (learning basics of religion and Abyssal, no secret rites known; addressed as Student), Novitiate (loyalty proven, learning how to channel their faith into spells and armed from the Temple Armoury; addressed as Novice), Cleric (written their personal prayer book, good at casting spells; addressed as Reverend), High Priest (communes directly with Dalachrech, capable of summoning demons, master of a Temple/Hermitage; addressed as High Priest/Your Holiness).
Branches of the Faith:
Reformed: This branch of the Faith has been around the longest, and its High Priest is the progenitor of all the other branches. However, in order to adapt to the political climate of Inside, Terrowin surrendered the traditional practice of keeping Temple Slaves. Sapient sacrifice has not been practised here, though forced conversion has and the equipment used for that is still present and used for other things.
Middling: This branch was originally founded in another city, however when that Town fell to the depredations of Deadtime Ooze, its clergy moved elsewhere. They keep Temple Slaves, traditionally illiterate and without tongues, though they don't practice sapient sacrifice to suit the tastes of the local population.
Chthonic: This branch is the only one whose clergy has not ever owed fealty as clerics under Terrowin, and Charynrae converted to Dalachrechianism on her own. They practice slavery, but life in Underside is hard, so do not practice sapient sacrifice. The slaves kept here have not had their tongues removed, though their literacy has never been questioned.
Orthodox: This branch is extremely secretive and cloistered, primarily practised by ettercaps, aranea, Falmer, thri-kreen and other creatures whose link to invertebrates is very primal. They practice slavery, though haven't muted their Temple Slaves, and are the only branch which offers sapients in the traditional manner- a brainbeetle larvae placed on the foot.
Order of the Centipede: A holy order of warriors sworn to protect all Dalachrechians, regardless of their personal spiritual alignment. The Grand Mistress supports slavery; however this is a personal view and not that of the organisation as a whole. It is their duty to defend the clerics and temples from unbelievers, and to stay out of any factional squabbling between the other branches unless they are directly commanded by Dalachrech to intervene, in a vision that will be shared between all the paladins within to ascertain its authenticity. That vision is the Will of Dalachrech, and represents official doctrine on the conflict.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
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Originally Posted by
The Alexandrian
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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Ouch! Pain! Pain! Each and every electrical shock delivered is accompanied by a "Dzzz!" noise which Mine produces as the electricity causes minor, violent muscular convulsions in his throat! The determined Mine will attempt to tug on the electrified chain periodically during the trip to the torture chamber. Eventually, however, they shall likely arrive.
This is bad.
Hermitage- Elezibethele
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When they arrive at the torture room, Elezibethele will chant a prayer in Abyssal. The hopeful result of the prayer is to cause Mine to collapse, asleep.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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In that case, Mine collapses soon after the spell is uttered! He would find it strange that Elezibethele is rendering him unconscious for the purposes of this torture. Maybe she has to prepare for it or something? He doesn't know.
Mine doesn't at all look peaceful as he is knocked out. He didn't enjoy that, though that would appear to be the least of his problems now.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech
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Elezibethele will walk over to Mine and pick him up, carrying him to a wall-mounted wheel and fastening manacles to his wrists and ankles. Unless he resists, obviously; and if necessary, she'll magically increase her strength to lift him.
When & if he's chained to the wheel, Elezibethele will throw a bucket of water over his head to wake him up. There's a table nearby, with several nasty knives, spikes, and other implements upon it.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech]
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Mine won't resist Elezibethele's actions in part or as a whole. He cannot. He's unconscious! No magical strength should be required to lift Mine either. He's lean, even by elf standards. Unless Elezibethele is a feeble elf, and evidence points to an answer voiding that disclaimer, she'll have no trouble lugging Mine over to the wheel and chaining him to it.
Splash! Water drips down Mine's face as his eyelids snap open. His eyes flit about the room. He takes note of the knives, spikes, and other crude instruments of agony maximization spread before him.
He doesn't like this. He'll make Elezibethele pay for her violent, treacherous mannerisms with one, blunt, concise statement.
"You look better equipped and more willing to destroy your own than any human I've ever seen."
He defiantly mutters. Bet he'll change his tune right quick when those knives and spikes see action.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech
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"But I won't kill you. Not deliberately, anyway, and I'm good enough that I don't kill by accident. Not in here, anyway." Elezibethele smiles, picks up one of the knives, and holds it steady as the other hand spins the wheel to which Mine is strapped. Mine will go into the path of the knife, and it's sharp enough that it won't be dislodged from Elezibethele's grip as she pulls the red curtain.
Each and every one of the implements on the table sees use, last of all a blunt knife which is used to cut out Mine's tongue.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech]
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I've been trying to figure out the best way to respond to that torture session, and I've finally come across something sufficient!
Ouch! OUCH!
Lots of screaming and disfigurement likely occurs throughout the unjustifiable punishment of Mine! He may faint a few times, but I'm sure that Elezibethele would only classify that as a minor setback and overcome it in a matter of seconds. Needless to say, I don't think Mine will be troubling Elezibethele the presumably blood-drenched elf anymore.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech
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Elezibethele will try her hardest not to make Mine faint. If it takes a short break, she doesn't mind- if he's conscious, he's in pain. When it's over, Elezibethele will take a blue bottle from the rack of bottles in the corner and go over and try to force it down Mine's throat. It's a modified healing potion. It will heal all his wounds and prevent scarring, but it will keep the pain. So whilst Mine feels like he's just been tortured, he appears as though he's never been tortured before. It won't regrow his tongue, but it will heal the wound over with a minimum of scarring.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Mister Squiggles is with Justin when the group is ready to go.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside the Hermitage's Forest
Brand is here, wearing a collar and acting subservient. It's frightening to him how easy it is to fall back into that role. Back then, it was for the sake of his wife and children that he submitted, and followed orders. They hadn't even tried to personally break him. The threat to his loved ones had been enough.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside of Hermitage's Forest
Waterstrider is here as well, wearing little more than crude leather pants and slave collar. He's obviously afraid and feels more then a little sickened by what was happening.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside of the Hermitage's forest
Justin is here, presumably riding mister squiggles. So many things rush through his mind: all of the times he has fulfilled a similar mission, all of the ways he could have prepared better, all of the ways he could screw this up before getting to the door. He's wearing his "dress" clothes. A white shirt under a blue waistcoat with his signature 47 embroidered on the back just below the neck. His left sleeve is rolled up to allow him access to his Pipboy. Unlike the last time he wore this, his pants are not simply his vault jumpsuit with the upper half tied around his waist, but a pair of blue pants. He's also wearing one of the charm rings, Brand recieving its brother ring. He wears his colonial blaster on his hip, looking enough like a regular gun they won't suspect heavy duty plasma output. He offers his Laser Rifle to Waterstrider, just to wear as it would be strange for a master to be more heavily armed than his bodyguard. It actually is quite obviously a laser weapon, which will keep eyes on Waterstrider. He still wears his very well traveled duffle bag filled to the brim with several seemingly useless items. He also constantly feels for the collars remote, tucked inside his inner coat pocket.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside the Forest of the Hermitage
Before them lies a dense pine woodland, the floor free of undergrowth and leaflitter due to the thick canopy of the evergreen trees stopping sunlight from reaching the ground. There's a fair distance between the trees, however, so besides the dark there's little to slow any journeys beneath its boughs, even with carts and wagons. There's a faint wagon-trail, and it seems to be at the point where the forest's edge is closest to the Hermitage, judging by the size of the grim stone fortress towering over the surrounding trees. There is plenty of materials for torches, however; it's wintry and cold, so the wood of the trees is dry and flammable, lacking the wet sap to prevent any blaze from catching. There's also a fair amount of ethereal-appearing thin white scraps of material, feeling like silk, draped on the lower branches of the trees.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside the Forest of the Hermitage
Brand is riding Mister Squiggles as well, sitting behind Justin. Please let it work. Please let it be possible to free the slaves. Please let me return safely to my family... goes through his mind, as they grow closer to the Hermitage.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside the Forest of the Hermitage
Mister Squiggles walks along, degraded to some sort of mount. Cause Ilpholin never did that before. :smalltongue:
He does eye the silk material and wonder if it's webbing or even actual silk.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Waterstrider tries to calm his fear about what's happening. He sniffs the air for any particular scents to pass the time and to try and keep his nerves steady.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Giant spiderwebs. Couldn't be anything else. Justin was told to watchout for giant bugs. Of course he would have to deal with giant spiders. It's not like this is new to him. Hopefully he has an ace up his sleeve.
Breaking the silence, if only with a whisper, he leans down to Mister Squiggles head to speak. "Hey Squiggs? If we run into any other giant spiders, you can talk them out of... well, we all know what spiders do to things smaller than themselves. So, that?"
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Outside the Forest of the Hermitage
Mister Squiggles chitters. No doubt laughing. Why on earth would he do that?
Either that, or he said sure, no problem. Though still with a little laughter.
He continues on the path to the Hermitage. Chitter chitter.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
The Forest Around the Hermitage
The material is indeed silk webbing, both caterpillar and spider silk.
Waterstrider can smell rotting flesh, decaying wood, the musty smell of old attics, silk, spiders and something else, something strange. It's the smell of ettercap, in case Waterstrider has smelt one before.
A nearby tree is rustling quite a bit, too much to be just the wind or a small mammal. There's no birdsong, and no sign of birds, mammals or reptiles besides the locals.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
The Forest Around the Hermitage
Drats. That means no snacks.
Oh well.
Mister Squiggles continues to walk them down the path cheerfully. Hopefully they'll get there soon.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest around the Hermitage
"Good to hear, Squiggs," Justin says as he pats the riding spider. Seems he's assuming that was positive chittering.
Then rustling happens. He keeps his eyes on the tree as his hand goes to the blaster pistol on his hip. The click of him pulling back the hammer probably can't be heard above the tree. Mr. Squiggles doesn't seem worried by it but Justin keeps his eyes on it as they pass.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around the Hermitage
"Maybe if we go around it... by a wide berth?" Brand says hopefully. He does not want to encounter whatever is making the rustling noise.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around the Hermitage
Waterstrider nearly reaches to squeeze Brand's shoulder gently to reassure her, but refrains from doing so in case anyone was watching. "We'll be fine Brand. Nothing bad will happen." He swears to the Halfling quietly.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around The Hermitage
The rustling suddenly stops as something drops from the canopy and onto the ground in front of the group. It's two metres tall, with four long, lanky limbs and a bloated body. Its head is horse-like, with four pairs of beady black eyes and arachnid mandibles. "Greetingks, travellers. Do you have buszinesz with High Priestess Elezibethele, Mistress of the Hermitage of Dalachrech or Grand Mistress Azurelle, head of the Order of the Centipede? And, equally important, are they expectingk you?" The ettercap's voice is chittery and gutteral.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest around the Hermitage
Alright, go time. Succeed here and the mission is on it's way to success. Fail, and likely end up eaten by giant bugs.
"Greetings," Justin begins, removing his hand from his gun. "I am Justin Mine. My men and I are travellers, as you say, but I'm afraid we have no business with the... Hermitage, you say? This meeting may be quite fortuitous. Night falls quickly in the forest. Would it be out of the question to request a night of lodging? Is such the way of your church?"
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around the Hermitage
It isn't difficult for Brand to play the part of a nervous halfling who is startled by the sudden appearance of the talking monster and quavering in terror. Not difficult at all.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Earl of Purple
Temple of Dalachrech
"No, of course not. I would have sold him to a butcher's in the city." They would have killed him, and turned him into a profit. Via a large sausage-making machine.
The one time this has happened so far the person was released. However, she was undead and it's easier to block the memory of a failed undead applicant than figuring out how to kill them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Alexandrian
[Temple of Dalachrech]
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Augh! That's terrible! Grinding up people into sausage to sell to other people! Even Clarissa wouldn't do that, and she's a crazy monster thing! Heck, I doubt even Cal would pull something like that! That's magnitudes of eww and gross and blech and yuck and...
I need brain bleach! I'll never eat sausage again! And neither will One! Never again!
One begins to feel nauseous! Oh her gods that's disgusting and vile! She doesn't like it! Not one bit! Hopefully, she won't start to retch. That'd make this even worse!
I think it is safe to say that One's questions pertaining to this ritual have concluded. She honestly doesn't wish to know anything more about it.
[Underside Temple]
Will simply shrugs.
"That depends. The table was lacking a tail restraint, and it's not impossible that I could have killed you before you could paralyze me again, especially if I had been informed of failing it."
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Temple of Dalachrech
"Had you killed me, you would not have been able to escape the Temple alive. My death activates a spell which enrages the spiders I breed, encouraging them to rush throughout the Temple and kill everything they find until the noise stops." Charynrae is actually slightly worried about the fact that Will said he could kill her.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
((Was the scene with Despair primarily rped in the newest incarnation of the Riverside thread? I seem to be unable to track it down.))
[Hermitage of Dalachrech]
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I'm of the unyielding belief that whatever foul concoction Elezibethele forced down Mine's throat could hardly be classified as a healing potion. :smalltongue: If it prolongs the pain, then it isn't truly healing anyone.
Sad thing is that it is still far superior to being one of Azurelle's slaves.
Those poor girls don't stand so much as a chance against being utterly destroyed mentally and physically.
Mine can't glare at Elezibethele. Not after what she's done. She's really done a number on him. He's was in no condition to do anything more advanced than sit in one spot and suffer. While he may no longer physically be reduced to that weak state, he remains there mentally.
"Healing" of Mine's physical wounds occurs. Much "healing". All the while, the bound Mine dangles from the wheel to which he has been tethered, bleary eyes pointed at the lowly ground.
[Temple of Dalachrech]
One really didn't need to know that if her mistress dies, she'll die alongside her. It frightens her and makes her wish that she were a true healer. She's not selfless. In reality, she's imbued with more than her fair share of drive for self-preservation.
"Um..."
"That's alarming, Reverend Mistress."
One is now afraid that some "hero" is going to spring out of the woodworks, assassinate Charynrae, and indirectly eliminate her through that act. :smalleek:
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around the Hermitage
Mister Squiggles waits quietly. He has no reason to speak any time soon unless things start looking unfriendly.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Temple of Dalachrech]
"Had it been necessary to kill you, I would not have been leaving the temple alive if I didn't. And besides, I had assumed I would be dying of dehydration or starvation if I did, having no way to remove myself from the table," Will points out emotionlessly, shrugging again. "The spiders would simply have been a quicker means."
Charynrae might realize that she just gave Will important information about how to kill her - block off/kill the spiders before he tries. Not that he has any plans to do so, admittedly, but...
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
((Yes, the RP between Azurelle and Despair was in Riverside. It's quite a while back, though.))
Underside Temple
"Yes, it's intended to worry people, One. Don't worry, though; I have no intention of dying. And that's a good point, Will." Since the spiders built the Temple with their silk, the only being that knows its layout as well as they do is Charynrae. The spiders also work with silk regularly, and they can wriggle through the cocoon's walls. And killing the spiders will cause them to attack in self defence.
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Inside, Elezibethele
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"I hope you've learnt your lesson. You can't disagree with me again, but should you disobey any order I shall bring you back here and cause you more pain, until you plead I was as gentle as I was today. Is that understood?" Elezibethele is expecting a nod in reply, and if she receives one she shall click her fingers and all the manacles will open, releasing Mine's wrists and ankles.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Underside Temple]
That would make it harder, yes... The spiders tend to, mostly, group together in the absence of threats or other tasks, so some sort of substance that they'll eat, which, when it gets into their bloodstream, is explosive in the presence of extreme heat might do it. Once all of them are sufficiently explosive, use the blaze to set off one, which sets up a chain reaction... That should at least make there be far fewer of them to deal with.
Will smiles, and nods in acknowledgement of the compliment. Sort of. As much of a smile as he can manage given his alien facial structure, anyway.
"Thank you, Charynrae."
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around Hermitage
Waterstrider, "playing" his role of bodyguard, shifts closer to Justin, standing over the man. As a Wolfen, he's rather imposing physically, but the collar marks him as Justin's slave. Even with the missing paw, his presence should be enough to make any hostilities risky.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Outside Hermitage
"That isz the way of mine church, yesz. But thisz do be a hermitage, where the prieszthood and loyal retainersz retreat in szolitude from the outszide world and all itsz troublesz, and szo that isz not the casze here, I feared. Although, Mr. Mine, if you be tradersz perhapsz you may be comingk, asz there isz much needed that are not produced within. Elezibethele and Azurelle are alwayzs lookingk for zsome thingksz." The ettercap has noted the collars, but is unfamiliar enough with humanoids to be unaware they mark slaves; none of the slaves at the Hermitage wears collars very much, apart from Mine, and his is only so Elezibethele can literally drag him around after her.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest outside the Hermitage
"Quite fortuitous indeed!" Justin says before turning his attention to Waterstrider. "Calm yourself, fido, there's business to be done!" it's said without much anger, more focus being placed on his joy at business. "Quite sorry, Father let's me go nowhere without his loyal attack pooch. Though speaking of my father, he runs a trading company that I'm quite privy to. I can work out a contract for between the company and the hermitage, have the necessities delivered here at regular intervals."
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Outside the Hermitage
Brand has a struggle not to show any signs of fury at hearing Waterstrider referred to as an 'attack pooch'. It's for a good cause. There are people here who need us. Waterstrider knows it's only for show. It's no worse than what we heard in the caravan.
It still hurts to hear, and he wants to reach out and put a hand on Waterstrider's shoulder. But that would be breaking character, so he can't.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Outside Hermitage
Waterstrider struggles to keep his composure at the insults and refrains from growling. While he had lasted through insults and goading while truly enslaved, being free made it much more difficult. Even so, he grits his teeth and keeps his fur from raising lest he exposes himself.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest outside the Hermitage
Mister Squiggles remains sat on.
He can be safely skipped for a while Earl.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Outside The Hermitage
"If the beaszt'sz loyalty liesz elszewhere, don't inszult it unlesz you are able and willing to fight it off. That'sz szimple comon szencze. What doesz your father trade in?" The ettercap doesn't know much about slavery, but it does know it's a bad idea to antagonise warrior-slaves because they are bred to be evil, bloodthirsty killers with no concept of mercy.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest outside the Hermitage
"He calls me master, same as father." For now Justin was far too into character to care about Waterstrider's feelings. If he let himself feel any concern, there was a chance he would let the character slip. He most likely would apologize to no end about the things he may have to do on this mission, but that would be on his own time."And father sells whatever is profitable. Food, spice, clothes, raw materials, weapons, etcetera etcetera. I can get into specifics once I know what your people need."
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Earl of Purple
((Yes, the RP between Azurelle and Despair was in Riverside. It's quite a while back, though.))
Underside Temple
"Yes, it's intended to worry people, One. Don't worry, though; I have no intention of dying. And that's a good point, Will." Since the spiders built the Temple with their silk, the only being that knows its layout as well as they do is Charynrae. The spiders also work with silk regularly, and they can wriggle through the cocoon's walls. And killing the spiders will cause them to attack in self defence.
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Inside, Elezibethele
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"I hope you've learnt your lesson. You can't disagree with me again, but should you disobey any order I shall bring you back here and cause you more pain, until you plead I was as gentle as I was today. Is that understood?" Elezibethele is expecting a nod in reply, and if she receives one she shall click her fingers and all the manacles will open, releasing Mine's wrists and ankles.
[Underside Temple]
Well, One has been sufficiently freaked out enough for one day! Without much delay, she'll attempt to curtsy to Charynrae and wordlessly remove herself from the conversation, slipping away to attend to other duties like a good worker.
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[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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One will weakly nod as expected. Upon being released from the cuffs, he'll fall the distance to the floor, and crash against it. Ouch!
Elezibethele has (temporarily) broken her slave in more ways than one!
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Underside Temple
"Oh, don't worry too much about it Will. You can go and do whatever you like now; I'll start teaching you the prayers needed to invoke Dalachrech's power tomorrow." That might work, but the Temple is made of spider silk, which burns. Any fire up here is dangerous- so much so that the branding irons are heated magically and the kitchen is built into a massive stalactite.
"Oh, One, could you please fetch Three for me?" Charynrae calls after One.
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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"Stand up and come over here." Should Mine succeed, Elezibethele will clip his collar around his neck again.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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Mine shall, with much difficulty, pull himself to his feet. He is struggling to do so, but he's obedient. He doesn't want the treatment again. He takes a few steps toward Elezibethele, stumbles and drops to his knees, and regains his footing, eventually making his way over to Elezibethele where he is likely collared once more.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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"Torture always makes me pekish. Come; we're off to the dining room. One of the temple slaves can fix us up a quick meal. Don't worry, you'll like it. Or at least, you can't taste it to dislike it." Elezibethele will then leave the torture chamber, pulling Mine's lead behind her. She'll walk up to the kitchen, a few floors above them.
If Mine stumbles, he'll likely get dragged a short distance, though Elezibethele isn't prepared to literally drag him all the way there.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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That is a tad Vlad the Impaler-ish, is it not? Bloodshed and torture increasing one's appetite is hideously gross and unrefined. The iron scent sickens most people. Elezibethele apparently isn't a member of this large section of society.
It is also odd that Elezibethele would waste her breath speaking to Mine now that he cannot talk back. Perhaps it is similar to the reasoning behind why people sometimes converse with their pets? :smallconfused:
Mine shall follow Elezibethele to the best of his current ability. The pain does nothing to aid his celerity. He'll likely fall behind, but he'll catch up as the leash nears the end of its length.
Mine learned one hard lesson today: Elezibethele can exhibit no clemency.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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Elezibethele is used to the smell of blood; she worked as a slave in a temple to Lolth, and regularly helped clean up after the sacrifice of sentient beings. The exertion of torture is what makes her hungry, rather than the site of blood.
And speaking to Mine will let Mine know where they are going, in addition to the pet-owner's habit. She has never really spoke to Mine intending to listen to his reply.
When they arrive at the dining room, Elezibethele will order a guard to look one of the temple slaves. He'll look for one and take them through to the kitchen.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Outside the Hermitage
Brand can also safely be skipped for now, at least until entry into the Hermitage has been gained or denied.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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Lolth. You would think that being forced to serve that fiend would drive someone to strive to take down the evils of the world, not uphold them, and especially not mimic the crimes that were committed against them.
Moving on...
The slave will probably prepare a sumptuous feast for Elezibethele with whatever ingredients are at hand!
Mine, on the other hand, isn't looking too good. He's majorly zoning out, staring at empty space unstably.
At least he doesn't have to move for now. If a chair hasn't been provided for him, the floor looks pretty good right now.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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Elezibethele saw the power wielded by Lolth's priestesses, and desired it. She asked to join Her clergy, but was refused. Repeatedly. So, she looked elsewhere and Dalachrech sent Elezibethele a vision- a wasp stinging and paralysing a tarantula before laying its eggs on the unfortunate spider. Elezibethele has been a devout follower of the Demon Lord of Invertebrates ever since.
Elezibethele will eat about half of everything placed in front of her, the rest will be placed in front of Mine. Elezibethele won't force him to eat, until he starts looking starved. Mine will not get a chair, nor will Elezibethele pay much attention to him.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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In that case, then, Mine shall lie down on the ground and eat nothing. He'll try to move as little as possible. It hurts when he moves. It hurts less when he doesn't move. Either way, it is still painful to be Mine at the moment.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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Anything that isn't eaten by Mine will be added to the meal served to the temple slaves at their meal time. They'll probably be grateful for the torture of Mine, although it's unlikely they're aware of exactly why they have so much extra food. Unfortunately, if Mine tries to lie down Elezibethele will pull on the lead, to get him to sit again. When he is sitting, she'll absentmindedly stroke Mine's head and play with his hair and ears. Should he try sinking lower again, Elezibethele will grab and pull, not caring if it's his ear or his hair which she has grabbed.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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"Gack!"
Is the noise Mine makes as his leash is suddenly pulled upward. He adopts a sitting position in response, legs crossed, probably leaning up against Elezibethele's chair in a dazed state. He doesn't particularly care about what Elezibethele does with his hair. He's in a state of shock still.
All he is aware of is that things hurt like heck, and he isn't reacting to it well.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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The meal probably isn't as long as Mine would have liked; all too soon Elezibethele stands up and heads towards her chamber a few floors up.
When they arrive, Elezibethele unhooks the bracelet end of the collar and clips it to the iron ring set into the wall above Mine's sleeping basket. "Mine, come help me get changed. I'm tired and going to bed. I need you to undo my dress at the back and fetch the nightgown on the wardrobe's door." The nightgown in question is made of very thin silk, hides very little and is also sleeveless and the end is quite a distance up Elezibethele's leg.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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Mine will perform the task as ordered. He'll hurry to dress down his Mistress. He does his best not to disrespectfully appreciate her every feature, but alas! He is only an elf! A tortured, oppressed elf no less! He knows it is wrong to secretly gawk at his tyrant like this. Elezibethele, however, is irresistable. He'll help Eleziberhele into her dress without comment.
If he only had a tongue! Du. Du. Du. Du. Du. Du.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around Hermitage
Waterstrider can be skipped as well. It can be assumed that he'll stay silent for the most part and just stand as intimidatingly and as protectively as a one-pawed Wolfen can.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Around Hermitage
"How about szlavesz? The Misztresz of the hermitage already hasz szome, but she isz alwaysz complainingk about their szpeed." The ettercap bends its long arm to scratch its back.
Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele
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Elezibethele knows of the effect her body is having, though she pretends otherwise. She remembers ordering him not to look at her when he arrived with the other slaves. When she is in her extremely revealing nightgown, she turns to Mine. "You sleep in your basket. If you are good tomorrow, I might reward you with a proper bed." Elezibethele winks as she says bed. She then blows out the candles and climbs into bed, rolling so her back is to Mine.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Earl of Purple
Underside Temple
"Oh, don't worry too much about it Will. You can go and do whatever you like now; I'll start teaching you the prayers needed to invoke Dalachrech's power tomorrow." That might work, but the Temple is made of spider silk, which burns. Any fire up here is dangerous- so much so that the branding irons are heated magically and the kitchen is built into a massive stalactite.
"Oh, One, could you please fetch Three for me?" Charynrae calls after One.
That's right... I'd forgotten about that. Let's hope that Will learns about his new home's flammability before he uses his blaze for anything.
In any case, the alien nods, heading off to explore the temple.
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
Forest Outside the Hermitage
A wicked smile crosses Justin's face. "I can't work that out on paper, have to be careful of the paper trail, but we could come upon a verbal agreement."
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Re: [Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I
[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Elezibethele]
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Well, this is...
Weird, to say the least. Mine knows that he shouldn't rightly be attracted to the villain who is intent of committing horrific acts of genocide against humans and who cut out his tongue and sliced him up on top of that, but...
But Elezibethele is hot. And powerful. And gorgeous. And beautiful. And dreamy...nearly. She controls Mine's life, and he knows it!
The chance of being with someone like that...
It is too much of a temptation for Mine to resist.
Without another word, Mine will compliantly nod and withdraw to his basket.
Hey! He does have a proper basket to sleep in! That's a luxury to him! It definitely counts as a blessing. Especially considering that all of the other slaves sleep in chains.
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[Underside Temple]
"But of course, Reverend Mistress."
One calls back as she hastens away!
Within the life of a minute after One runs off, Three walks up into the room, her face radiant with happiness!
"Hiya, Reverend Mistress! You wanted to speak with me?"
From the tone of her voice, she may have already drawn a couple of conclusions about the purposes of her summoning. :smallamused: