[Nexus] Temples of Dalachrech I

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Outside Elezibethele's Room]

I think I can handle the high priestess alone while you escort the slaves out, Wenomir says. Just get this door open for me.

[happyturtle]

Hermitage: Elizabethele's Door >> Exit

Brand will assist Justin and Waterstrider in leading the slaves towards the exit.

[The Alexandrian]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Inside Elezibethele's Room

"Take a box out from under my bed and fetch it here. Quickly, now." Elezibethele is quite urgent.

Underside Temple

"That was perfect, thank you Sylvia." Charynrae turns and smiles at Sylvia, looking at her and running her eyes over her body lovingly.

[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Inside Elezibethele's Room]

A box hidden under the bed? Yeah. Mine can run off and grab that for his lady. Mine will attempt to retrieve the package with as much swiftness as he can muster. He is fairly certain that the nature of the contents of the parcel is violent at best. Perhaps Elezibethele will refrain from resorting to use of the weapon if negotiations can be had? She hasn't proven herself to he a pacifist, though, what with her promotion of genocide and all, so Mine is worried for her safety, but moreso for his own. If Elezibethele perishes, what will these interlopers do with him?

-------
[Underside Temple]

Sylvia returns Charynrae's smile with her own toothy, coy, little grin.

"I'm happy that you were pleasssed with your meal."

Sylvia nods subserviently. She's likes seeing Charynrae happy. Charynrae's contentedness tends to be catching, she has discovered.

"I've never ssseen you so hungry before, though. Why were you ssso hungry? And were you talking to sssomeone while I wasss away?"

Sylvia doesn't know what to think about Charynrae's recent actions. She's quite naive for her age, even among her species where she wouldn't even be considered a full adult for a few years now.

[Murkus]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech] - Outside Elezibethele's Room

Wenomir - and anyone else with a knack for scenting demons - will likely detect Percival's stench all over the place. He was either here recently or is right nearby.

[Shadowcaller]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech] - Outside Elezibethele's Room

"Very well, everyone stand back then." The elemental replies and gives the others time to move back before it unleashes it's full force against the door. A beam of flame which could compared to the breath of an ancient dragon is unleashed towards the warded door. The sheer heat and force coming from it will probably damage scorch everything around it, but a normal door would probably either be pushed away or burned to ashes in seconds.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Inside Elezibethele's Room

Elezibethele snatches the box and opens it, pulling out an ornate sword with a blade resembling an icicle. She takes her brooch and starts to channel magic into it to activate it, when the door is blown down.

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Outside Elezibethele's Room

The door's blown in, revealing a room similar, though larger than, the one Justin and his fellows slept in. There's a wardrobe, a four-poster bed, a chest and a door leading to an adjacent chamber. Near the bed is a padded basket resembling a dog's bed with a steel ring set in the wall above it- a ring that I think Mine is still looped to, though I may be wrong.

Standing by the wardrobe is a tall, beautiful elf-lady wearing a suit of chainmail. Her long, black hair is over her back and she has bright green eyes. Holding her sword ready, she gazes at those outside and smiles. If I recall correctly, she went to Hell with Terrowin, Wenomir and some others a while back for WATCHTOWER, so maybe the scarred warrior will remember her. If not, she's the spitting image of the woman in the mural behind them. "Well, now. Aren't we fancy at entrances. A knock would have sufficed, or even just kicking it open. But humans just have to show off. I think it's to try and compensate for how short their pathetic, meaningless lives are. What is it you want?"

Hermitage- Chaos!

Most of the brainbeetle grubs are immolated by Harnel's fiery breath, though those closest to him will try to climb his scales to find somewhere to dig into his flesh.

Those that avoid both the flames and the telekinesis will try to find somewhere to hide amongst the burning pews and shattered altar.

Underside Temple

"An unfortunate side-effect of my semi-arachnid nature. Female spiders eat their mates after fertilisation to provide protein to help them produce healthy eggs. Our actions have not fertilised any eggs, though my instincts aren't always fully aware of that. Don't worry; I am able to resist the temptation to devour you, provided you leave quickly and return with food. Were you male, I would not be able to resist. Don't worry; you're safe now." Although at least half of the reason why Charynrae would be unable to resist devouring a male partner is because on some level she wouldn't want to. The other half is because Charynrae is more spider than she fully realises.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Outside Elezibethele's Room]

Wenomir steps into the room, holding his sword in front of him. He doesn't recognize the high priestess.
We're here to free your slaves and make you pay for abusing them. If you cooperate, we might not kill you, he states dryly.

[Shadowcaller]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Outside Elezibethele's Room]

Cessie had heard other elves saying similar things before when dealing with a supremacist elven god a some years ago so she isn't remarkably fazed by the speech. Besides, after now take said gods essence, she was as immortal as any elf.

Will you be needing any help or can you take care of this yourself? Remember that I'd prefer if we leave people alive. She telepathically tells the demon hunter. Technically Wenomir was her superior though even if he often didn't act like it.

[The Alexandrian]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech - Inside Elezibethele's Room]

Mine would vocally react to the sudden breaching of the door, but without a tongue and all, the only noise that would be produced would be a raspy weird noise that would frighten him and likely disturb everyone in attendance this day.

Instead, Mine simply stands in place, frozen in shock. He hadn't anticipated that the door would be exploded clean off of its hinges by fire. If he had been standing in the wrong place when that door was blown to smithereens...

Mine might still be hooked onto the wall by a sturdy chain leash if he could access Elezibethele's sword and continue to be connected to it. He's a young elf with cerulean blue eyes and fine blond hair, though he's a tad trim even for an elf. He is also completely unclothed, and more than a little spooked by the current goings on.

-------
[Underside Temple]



"Oh."

Sylvia replies slowly, after a short period of processing time in which she ruminated on Charynrae's mood-dampening affliction. Maybe there is a way by which she can solve that, as it is definitely not desirable given Charynrae's flirty yet peculiarly reserved nature.

"That doesssn't sssound like it worksss out in anyone'sss favor."

Especially if nubile mates are as limited as they are in Sylvia's species. For species that mature slowly and don't reproduce like crazy, that'd really be an issue.

"Maybe we could already have food prepared for you before we, um, curtain? Then thossse preemptive measssuresss would keep the thought of eating me from ever crossssing your mind?"

Because if Charynrae tried killing Sylvia, Sylvia would retaliate, and, from Sylvia's perspective, it'd be a real shame if she accidentally ended Charynrae while trying to restrain her.

[UncleWolf]

Hermitage - Heading to the Exit

Waterstrider will stick with Brand and try to keep the slaves protected as they make their way out.

[Halae]

[Hermitage - Chaos]

the grubs won't find purchase on Harnel's scales, as he moves his feet about into places he's already charred, only to turn around and continue burning. He takes care not to step on any of them, though - doing so might let them get at him, and it'd feel pretty sickening to have that glop between your toes.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room

Elezibethele grabs Mine's lead and severs it with her sword, pulling him closer and trying to put her sword at his throat. "Slaves can be replaced. Lives can be restored. But agony is eternal. Kill me, and you answer to Dalachrech and His Sea of Beetles. Leave now, and not only will Mine live and I'll let you keep the Temple Slaves, but you won't spend eternity being eaten over and over by countless flesh-eating beetles in the Realm of Dalachrech. Azurelle will be less than happy if you've got hers, but she's not here. She's off somewhere; I think one of her slaves suggested blackmailing the powerful and capturing them to serve in the same way. By freeing the slaves, how do you know you aren't releasing monsters upon the world? In some parts of the world, those whose crimes go beyond the death penalty are sold as slaves. Perhaps you have a child-murderer under your protection; you can't know." Elezibethele sounds confident and determined. She'll fight, but not before she's sliced Mine's throat.

Also, I recall reading an in-universe book in Skyrim about a wood elf slave; he was a bandit, and was sold as punishment.

Hermitage- Fleeing

There's still some centipedes to beware of, though the guards haven't awoken yet and are still a few floors up.

Underside Temple

"Spiders don't have very good eyesight. Whilst the spiderlings are young and small, their mother won't eat to prevent her eating her children by accident. So she survives off her last meal- their father. Meanwhile, the eggs are healthy and plentiful, as the mother has lots of protein and other nutrients available to produce viable eggs. Thus, their father's death ensures that whilst at their most vulnerable the offspring are protected by their mother and unlikely to be eaten, whilst their number is large to maximise survival later on, again assured by their father's death." Few spiders look after their young, but some do. Wolf spiders carry them on their backs whilst they hunt, but the father's death ensured the wolf spider was there for the hatching and didn't eat any as they clambered onto the safe haven of their mother's back. Any that fall off have no chance for survival.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

I think I can handle it, Cessie. Make sure the rest doesn't run into anything nasty, Wenomir thinks. Out loud, he says:
You're in no position to bargain and your god has no claim over my soul, if I have one. He doesn't. If you kill that slave, you'll make your situation even worse. Right now, we're willing to consider accepting your surrender instead of torching this place and all your other temples. Don't do anything that'd change our minds.

[happyturtle]

Hermitage - Slave Party

Can we assume that the party escorting the slaves reaches the exit without incident? Or will there be more giant centipedes?

[Shadowcaller]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

If you're sure, this woman seems to be completely insane. I wish you all luck, may Artaris watch over you Wenomir. The elemental replies before going off without a word to Elezibethele.

It will escort out Brand, Waterstrider and the others, making sure all the slaves are safe outside before finally leaving itself.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room

"And what will I have to do to prove my willingness to surrender, hmm? Hand over the slave, my sword, my armour and let you put your filthy human hands over my body as you search for weapons, or decide that because I have put my life in your hands, my body is there as well?" I seriously doubt Wenomir will do the last, however where their positions reversed and if Wenomir happened to be a moderately attractive elf, she would be tempted, so she's more willing to believe others will do what she would do.

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Slave Party

They escape with no further incident.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

I'm not interested in your body, Wenomir says coldly. What she suggests is rather disgusting to him. But other than that, you're right. Drop your weapons, release your slave and stand still. That, or die knowing the rest of your faith will burn.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room

"Many people have tried to destroy a religion before. It never works; worshippers go underground, start wearing masks and concealing their identities. They hide, and they worship, and they stop public preaching, or they flee, and convert new people and spread to new areas, so the search is expanded. The only time it works is when it's over a long period of time, and slowly replaced the deity one wishes to kill with a new deity. Even then, centuries later, people study the lost religion and reconstruct it and people think 'ooh, this looks interesting', or just come out of hiding and pretend to be new converts." Although some religions have been destroyed and haven't been resurrected, such as the Cathars, the Bogomils, and other groups branded heretical by various branches of Christianity. Though even so, some have survived.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

Wenomir rolls his eyes.
Spare me the lectures. Unless you surrender, your faith will have an opportunity to test your claim in practice.

[happyturtle]

Outside the Hermitage Forest

Once the group has safely escaped with the slaves, Brand starts to shake all over as the reality of what they just faced down hits him. "Did... did we just do that?"

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room

"Oh, but you've left out one important variable. Arrogant humans always do. I'm prepared to kill you, but I'm prepared to die, too. You're prepared to kill me, but are you prepared to die?" With that, Elezibethele draws her ice-sword across Mine's neck, deep enough to sever the arteries but not deep enough to slice the windpipe. The wound starts to freeze as soon as it is made, likely assisting with the prevention of blood loss as the blood freezes and blocks the wound. Mine is pushed roughly to one side, and Elezibethele spins to the attack, swinging her icicle-blade at Wenomir's head.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

You, kill me? Please.
Wenomir meets Elezibethele's attack with a high, forceful parry, intending to knock the sword away. If it succeds, he presses forward, shifting his grip on the hilt and attempting to quickly bring it down on the priestess' shoulder while her own sword is knocked back. He hopes she won't be able to bring it back quickly enough to parry his attack.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech

Elezibethele's sword is knocked away, but Elezibethele quickly recovers. Rather than dodge the next attack, she nimbly steps aside, aiming her next sword blow at Wenomir's stomach. "Typical human arrogance. Although with lives as short as yours, I suppose it's not worth preparing for the end. It'll happen in, what? two, three decades? Unless I kill you now, anyway."

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

Wenomir decides to cut the banter and focus on killing the priestess. He steps aside just as the blade nears his stomach, making it swing past, then immediately - and extremely swiftly - steps forward, effectively getting past it. All the while, he shifts his grip on the sword's hilt and once he's very close to Elezibethele, he tries to smash the pommel into her face, hoping that her possibilities of dodging will be limited at such close range.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech

Well, that worked. Elezibethele staggers back, her nostrils dripping blood as the nose's position suggest it broke. Elezibethele shoots a death glare at Wenomir before taking the beetle- shaped brooch from her other hand and channelling magic into it, causing it to swell up into a horse-sized stag beetle. It's still growing this post, so can't do anything.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

Wenomir presses his advantage. Without waiting a moment, he makes two slashes at Elezibethele - first a diagonal one, then immediately after a vertical one at her throat. He tries to slice through the beetle with the vertical slash.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech

The first slash is parried by Elezibethele's icicle sword; the second is not and kills the beetle turning it back into a jewelled amulet.

Elezibethele feints a quick thrust at Wenomir's throat, turning the movement into a slash at Wenomir's torso at the last moment.

[Morty]

[Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room]

It's hard to fool Wenomir with a feint, given how often he uses them himself. He appears to parry the thrust to the throat, but changes direction just as Elezibethele does, bringing his sword down on hers, trying to push it to the ground, then immediately raise his sword and thrust at her chest.

[Earl of Purple]

Hermitage of Dalachrech- Elezibethele's Room

Elezibethele's sword is deflected, and she's then stabbed. Most of the blow is absorbed by the chainmail she had hastily donned with Mine's help earlier, though it does penetrate it and the under-armour and enters Elezibethele's flesh in the shoulder. It's slowed her down, though Elezibethele tries to worsen the wound by leaning forward and pushing Wenomir's sword into her as she swings her own at Wenomir's side.

[OrchestraHc]

Outside the Hermitage Forest

Once the group has safely escaped with the slaves, Brand starts to shake all over as the reality of what they just faced down hits him. "Did... did we just do that?"

Outside the Hermitage Forest

"I think so," Justin says confidently. "How does it feel being heroes, you two?" he asks his comrades as sticks his hand in his vest pocket. He pulls out the remote for the collars to unlock them and take them off their hands. "And how does being free feel to the rest of you?"