Selberath I: Calling

[Alicorn]

((If anyone wants to say anything before Whisper returns, please do so within 24 hours.))

[Tyriq]

(I'm ready to fast forward if everyone else is!)

[Kai-Palin]

((I'm ready to go on, I've spelled out what I want to do b/w now and whenever the owl comes back.))

[DarkLadyOfTheSith]

Circe

Some hours later Circe rejoins the others, the owl again riding on her arm. "Whisper tells me the woman descended a hidden staircase at the base of a tree. She can lead us there. We should probably have a plan going in."

[Alicorn]

((Okay, Christmas is over, rouse yourselves from cookie-induced stupors and formulate a plan.))

[Alicorn]

((New Year's is over too. If there's no more posts here by the next time I check then plot will have to rain down out of the sky.))

[Kai-Palin]

Zeke

"Byron, you should probably take the lead once we get down there. I will attempt to gather information when we reach this tree, so that we don't have to go in blind. Mistress Circe, what sorcery is available to you?"

Looking over at Granny Godwin, he says wryly "Granny, you have a choice here, you may either come clean, in which case you may come with us and we'd welcome your assistance, or you may return home. I am not willing to bring someone along who might get hurt."


((Sorry, had too much egg-nog. We have cookies?))

[DarkLadyOfTheSith]

Circe

"Given that I've set up an expectation with the woman from earlier that I'm on my own, it may be best if I not come in with the rest of you. Otherwise, I expect your plan has merit." She feeds Whisper a small morsel as she continues. "As to your request, I can speak with Whisper here, and sense some of what she feels at longer distances. I have most of the usual cantrips available to me, I can charm the hearts of those I speak with (charm person, eagle's splendor), see in the dark (darkvision), fly, and I possess a small array of combative and defensive magics."

[mdsoze]

Byron

I like that idea. I have... much to discuss with whoever did this. I pray for the strength to battle well today.

[Kai-Palin]

Zeke

"If you insist, Lady Circe. If nothing else, could you come and stand guard outside the door? We may run into more than we can handle down there."

Looking over at Granny Godwin, who appears to be staring into space, he gives her a shake, "Will you be coming, Granny?"

[mdsoze]

Byron

Byron kneels on the ground, and bows his head, while waiting for Granny to decide what to do.

Those who care to listen would hear him praying for strength, speaking softly, his hand wrapped around his symbol of Kord.

[Alicorn]

((I'm going to PM Tyriq. If I don't get a prompt answer, you will have to press on without a response therefrom.))

[Alicorn]

((This is getting ridiculous. Tyriq's character keels over suddenly from undiagnosed anemia and cannot be roused. Attendance check posts from ALL of the rest of you, and kindly refrain from spending forever reacting to the anemic's death. I will look into replacing him.))

[DarkLadyOfTheSith]

Circe

"Well, I know the part I'm going to play. The only question for me is, who should enter first? Me, or the rest of you? I hope you'll come up with a plan of your own. One that doesn't involve running in and slaughtering everyone. They may not be acting of their own volition, you realize."

[Kai-Palin]

Zeke

"Planning for every contingency is, of course, impossible, but my idea was to get down there and try to figure out what is causing the villagers to leave, and to feel no compulsion about it. It seems as though they are acting more or less voluntarily, but there must be something behind it. I'd try to find this 'Mother Hapatha' and then question her, if possible. If she is the cause behind the disappearances, we'll attempt to persuade her to release the townsfolk. If she won't, we may have to attempt violence, but that is only the very last resort."

Zeke gets to his feet, and prepares to follow Circe to the 'tree'.

[mdsoze]

Byron

Agreed. If Atora was merely being controlled, I would have been able to temporarily break that control with the magic I performed.

As for going there, I'm not sure what will happen. Doubtless Atora has told the Matron about us. So they will be prepared.

[DarkLadyOfTheSith]

Circe

"It may be better if you two go first. I can follow a half hour or so later and claim that Whisper spotted your descent."

[Kai-Palin]

Zeke

"That seems wise, although it might even be better if they're expecting people who don't come. After all, the poor woman never saw me, and if we just alter Byron's appearance a little..."

He unties his bandanna, which suddenly appears to be a wide-brimmed straw hat, and hands it to Byron.
"Take this and put it on, and you can look like someone else. They won't recognize you either, and we can try to infiltrate a bit more easily."

He then rummages around in a belt pouch and pulls out a silver ring, which he hands to Circe. "Lady Circe, touch this to my ring, and then if an emergency arises I can call you. If no emergency ends up happening, then yes, come down in about thirty minutes, and we will proceed from there."

This time Zeke actually begins to walk toward where the 'tree' is located.

[mdsoze]

Byron

Interesting. Though perhaps we could use this to our advantage as well, could we not?

Byron attempts to make himself look like his now-lost brother, Maphid.

[Alicorn]

((That seems within the capabilities of the hat, so now you look like Maphid. Anything else anyone wants to do before you arrive at the entrance to place?))

[Alicorn]

(I will take the silence as a no.)

The party arrives in relatively short order at the entrance to which Whisper followed Atora. It does not look guarded.

[DarkLadyOfTheSith]

Circe

The sorceress settles down to wait out the agreed upon half-hour, having activated the ring per Zeke's request.

[mdsoze]

Byron

Well, let's walk in, and see what reaction I get. Might as well be quick about this.

Byron goes down the stairs.

[Alicorn]

Byron, still in his brother's guise, reaches the bottom of the staircase, where he spots a half-dozen of the missing engaged in various tasks - polishing weapons, cooking stew, mending clothes, copying some documents. When they hear him descending the staircase they all look up; some of them drop what they're holding and one tears off through an archway into the next room.

"You're dead!" exclaims a young man whom Byron recognizes as

Spoiler

Show

Leddan Marcas, a potato farmer.

"Everyone was there!"

[mdsoze]

Byron (as Maphid)

I know. But I have returned. I was returned.

[Alicorn]

Leddan and the other weapon-polisher, whom Byron doesn't recognize, pick up a weapon apiece. "How?" demands the erstwhile potato farmer. "Why?"

[mdsoze]

Byron (as Maphid)

I saw myself coming to this place. I saw myself learning the truth of this place. As for what lies before me, I do not know. But I know I am meant to be here.

[Kai-Palin]

Zeke

Zeke follows Byron/Maphid, attempting to look as inconsequential and inconspicuous as possible, despite his rather odd looks.

[Alicorn]

((Sorry about the delay; my control panel will persist in failing to notify my of half the posts. Feel free to pester me by PM or AIM if I go 2 days without posting here.))

"Should we kill him... again?" asks the weapon-polisher whom Byron couldn't identify.
"Who is that?" asks the woman who was stirring the pot of stew, looking at Zeke.
"No," mutters Leddan, "no, not unless they attack us first or if when Thaden comes back he brings orders from the Mother... or if they try to go deeper into the sanctum..."

[mdsoze]

Byron

He was sent back with me. He's something of a guide.

It is a pity that Thaden is gone. I was sent to speak with him. Permit me entrance, that I might wait for his return?