Road to Revolution 4

Players near you:
(PK) Vaeshir                      Inside a Dark, Muddy Hut
(PK) Shasarik                     A Turn In An Old, Muddy Road
(PK) Aziath                       Inside a Dark, Muddy Hut

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'True.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'He seeks freedom however.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Yet is terrified you will find out.'

Vaeshir chuckles dryly.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Expecting sudden death.'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'Is that so?'

Aziath nods.
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'He fears you, strong enough to feed upon his fear.'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'Who tells you this?'

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Even if you would loosen the bonds.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'He speaks with us.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'And we are obliged to listen.'

Vaeshir casts a sharp glance westward.

Aziath peers intently west.

Inside a Dark, Muddy Hut
  The muddy walls inside this hut are a dark charcoal, and covered with
faded white illustrations showing early srryn wielding the void.  Runic
markings, drawn in the same white chalk, pulse and glow faintly, bathing the
small room in a pale aura.  A sickening stench of carrion and disease drifts
freely amid the hut, contaminating the air around you.  The putrid odor
seems to emanate from the northern wall, where a large circle is drawn in
white chalk.  

[Exits: west]
(Invis) (Charmed) A massive skeletal figure looms above the lake, hissing and writhing in fury.
(Invis) Aziath the Dweller in the Dark Eve, Scourge of the Skies is here.
(Invis) Usthriykss, Potentate of the Thissa Sept, rests within the shadows.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Let us rephrase.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Breaking the bond, and basing it solely on fear, you would loose little.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Yet gain..'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Well.'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'When the price is paid the formal bond will be dissolved.'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'Your .. patron'

Aziath nods.

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'spoke to me when the time was right. We struck a deal.'
Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'I am not the only one who lusts for the souls of the weak.'

A faint trail of chilling mist trickles out of Aziath's sleeves, slowly circling his stature. 

Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly. 

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'True.'
Aziath utters the words 'armor'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'Information regarding this ritual is to be delivered to me when it is obtained.'
Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'In exchange,'

Vaeshir nods to the west.

Aziath nods.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'We've delivered the task to someone.. capable.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'He will find what is known about this ritual.'

Vaeshir traces his fingers idly across the scales covering his neck. 

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Besides what Usthriykss is willing to share.'
Aziath glares at Usthriykss.
Aziath nods thoughtfully.
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Ask no more of Shasarik until this ritual has been.. completed.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'This we ask of you.'

Vaeshir runs his fingernail along the point where the scales of his neck and the smooth black skin of his torso meet.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'A bond beyond with us might disturb..'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'Why are you so intent on this?'

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'We've spoken with two.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Familiar with rituals as strong as these.'

Vaeshir jerks his hand away, drawing blood.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Al be it different ones.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'There lies danger in them.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'A bond outside the ritual.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Might disturb it.'

A thin dark line of blood flows down Vaeshir's chest.

A faint symbol, carved in Aziath's skull, pulses briefly with darkened light. 

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'The effects..'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'You know nothing of this bond?'

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Any oath or bond in general..'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'The bond outside the ritual.'

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'binds part of the spirits together.'

Vaeshir inclines his head slightly. 

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'A spirit distracted..'

Shasarik tells the group 'I have held position for a night and a day with only my thoughts.  I shall remain until your mouthes give word.'

Aziath peers intently west.
Aziath tells the group '(whispering)' You do well.'

Vaeshir tilts his head, smiling to himself.


Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'He will obey you, no doubt.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Yet do not call your right of the bonding upon him.. for now.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'After the ritual.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Things lie.. different.'

Aziath nods.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'One we cannot unclose.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Yet do believe this.'

You frown.

Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'Taking the advice is.. advantageous.'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'The gains..'
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'are mutual.'

Vaeshir says softly, in shuddeni, 'I trusted you once when I chose to participate in the Ritual. The benefits have been unexpected, but consistent.'

Aziath nods.

Vaeshir waves a clawed hand across his surroundings, in shuddeni, 'Until this is completed I will trust you again.'

Aziath nods his head slowly.
Aziath whispers, in shuddeni, 'This will be .. appreciated.'
Aziath nods.

### Later, in the Crystal-filled Cave

You tell the group, in shuddeni, 'I go to speak with him.'

Shasarik joins your group.

A shimmering gate rises up before you.

Khastygr tells you 'Watch out for Padraic.'

Shasarik nods slowly.

You enter a shimmering gate.

A Crystal-filled Cave
  The subterranean tunnel comes to an abrupt end at this point, the cave
walls formed of a dark brown sedimentary stone.  Sprouting from this stone
are dozens of naturally-formed crystals, whose intricate shapes line the
walls in shimmering patterns.  Broken shards and whole shafts of crystal lay
about the floor of the cave, the smaller pieces filling the various cracks
and variations in the stone floor.  

[Exits: west]
     A shimmering black gate rises from the ground, leading to parts unknown.
Your passage through the void maims you!
Shasarik has arrived through a shimmering gate.
Shasarik's passage through the void wounds him.

Shasarik has arrived.

Players near you:
(PK) Padraic                      A Crystal-filled Cave
(PK) Vaeshir                      A Crystal-filled Cave
(PK) Shasarik                     A Crystal-filled Cave

Now key one flips to Padraic.
You peer intently east.
=== 1 east ===
Padraic the Hero of the Shadows is here.

Shasarik says 'This place...'
Shasarik grabs his midsection in appearant pain.

You give a menacing hiss.

Shasarik says 'Vaeshir... spare a bit of bread?'
Shasarik ponders the question.

Vaeshir says softly, in arcane, 'The thief was here.'

Padraic steps out of the shadows.
Padraic says 'Is.'

Shasarik says 'Thief?'
Shasarik says 'Ah.'

Shasarik nods at Padraic.

Vaeshir tosses his head contemptuously.

Shasarik looks at Padraic.

Vaeshir says softly 'What is it?'

Padraic says 'Long ago, there were three.'

Shasarik drinks water from a large leather water skin.

Padraic spreads his hands about him.
Padraic says 'And lo, there are but two now.'

Vaeshir says softly 'The strong have survived, the weak fallen from us.'

Shasarik nods slowly with widened eyes.

Padraic turns his eyes to Shasarik, then back to you.

Shasarik sheathes his axe upon his back, awed.
Shasarik stops using an axe made from tempered steel.

Padraic says 'And will the culling continue?'

Vaeshir says softly 'The third was not broken from us by force.'

Shasarik tells the group 'Grant me a loaf?'
Shasarik nods quickly.

Padraic says 'Interesting.  You have grown since I left you last.'

Shasarik says 'I remember, Padraic.'
Shasarik says 'In part I have you to thank.'
Shasarik says 'Your aid that day in the caves.'
Shasarik says 'Do you not remember?'

Padraic sips quietly at an everful chalice.
Padraic drinks water from an everfull chalice.
Padraic says 'But of course.'

Shasarik relaxes his tail slightly, eyes unblinking.

Padraic says 'There are things one does not forget.'

Shasarik nods slowly.

Padraic fingers his pendant idly.

Shasarik whispers 'Indeed...'

The crysmal has arrived.

Shasarik says 'Everything has changed and everything has remained.'

Translation: 'Y'er onel.'
OOC to Padraic: I'll bite.

Tall and striking in appearance, Padraic carries himself with an air of
utmost confidence.  Precise and composed in his movements, he seems to bear
himself with constant reservation and consideration.  Fastidiously kept
locks of silken, jet, black hair are parted evenly about his crown, casting
a darkening shadow upon his luminous brow.  His dark, brooding eyes glimmer
lustrously from their lofty perch, like black pearls set upon a moonlit
bank.  Smooth to the touch, his pale skin seems to glow radiantly with an
inner light.  
A dark cloak, tailored to accentuate the breadth of his shoulders, hangs
loosely about Padraic's figure.  The heavy folds seem to swallow his lank
form, leaving little in view.  A fine silver chain, bearing a pendant of
jade, hangs loosely about his neck.  
Padraic is in excellent condition.

Padraic is using:
<worn on finger>    (Glowing) (Humming) a golden insignia ring
<worn on finger>    (Humming) a golden insignia ring
<worn around neck>  a necklace of bone shards
<worn around neck>  (Glowing) (Humming) an elder's amulet of strength
<worn on torso>     the chitinous black armor
<worn on head>      a string of dragon-bone hair beads
<worn on legs>      a pair of blue dragonscale leggings
<worn on feet>      an old pair of iron-capped leather boots
<worn on hands>     (Humming) a pair of mud-covered gauntlets
<worn on arms>      a pair of scalemail sleeves
<worn about body>   a wolfskin cloak
<worn about waist>  (Glowing) a jade belt with a skull-shaped buckle
<worn around wrist> (Glowing) a bracelet of carved marble
<worn around wrist> a stiff white leather bracer
<wielded>           (Glowing) (Humming) an ancient sword forged by Thethtil
<dual wielded>      a jewel-encrusted dagger

A fine chain, cut from white silver, is strung about Padraic's neck.  At
its base is a spider-shaped pendant, carved from a frostily clouded jade. 
No larger than a standard gold coin in size, the spider's legs curve
outwards in sheltering arcs, curling themselves about the bulbous green
body.  Twin slivers of cloudless ruby are set into its head, the luminous
eyes gazing quietly out from their perch.  

[OOC] Padraic: Everyone does, sooner or later.

Shasarik says 'My form has changed, as has Vaeshir's.  My Oathbindings remain.'

Padraic looks at you.
Padraic says 'Do you remember, truly, what happened Shasarik?'

Vaeshir places the back of his hand against Shasarik's cheek lightly.

Padraic turns his head away slightly, smiling quietly to himself.

Shasarik takes a step back instinctively.

Padraic chuckles softly 'Yes.  That day.'

Shasarik whispers 'Not entirely... no.  I believe I may have thought you were...'
Shasarik says 'whispers someone else...'
Shasarik shuts his eyes for a moment.
Shasarik opens his eyes slowly, adjusting them to the dark.

Padraic traces a finger lightly against his lips, smiling quietly to himself.

Shasarik says 'I often mistake shadows about me for... something else.'

Padraic says 'You asked for things, Shasarik.'

Shasarik nods hesitantly.

Padraic slowly begins to circle about Shasarik.

Shasarik says 'I-indeed.'
Shasarik says 'Yes... a... club or sorts...'
Shasarik says 'A large club that I could not use...'
Shasarik says 'I remember now...'

Padraic leans in close, speaking in a hushed whisper 'Do you still ask for more?'

Shasarik shudders briefly.

You tell Shasarik 'You do not.'

Shasarik snaps his eyes open wide.
Shasarik says 'No.  I do not.'

Padraic chuckles softly to himself.
Padraic says 'And so he has grown, so that he is no longer in need.'

Vaeshir withdraws his hand from Shasarik's trembling cheek.

Shasarik stares ahead, an almost souless look 'cross his face.
Shasarik nods slightly.

Eyeing you carefully from the corner of his eye, Padraic continues to circle about Shasarik.

Shasarik says 'I... require... nothing you can... grant, Padraic.'
Shasarik closes his eyes, unsure.

Padraic says 'And yet, you tremble, you quiver.'

Vaeshir Moves to stand behind Shasarik, his eyeless gaze indifferent to Padraic.

Shasarik says 'I... have wants, yes...'
Shasarik says 'A want... a...'

Padraic says 'Your... master?  He comforts you with a hand upon the cheek.'

Vaeshir exhales slowly, softly, his face inches from Shasarik's neck.

Shasarik shuts his eyes tightly.

Padraic says 'Or am I mistaken?'

Shasarik moves one hand to the other to keep it from reaching behind his back.
Shasarik opens his eyes quickly.
Shasarik says 'What is your wish, Padraic of the moving shadows?'

Padraic suddenly steps away towards the east, his back turned in your direction.
Padraic eats a bowl of beef broth.

Shasarik continues 'What have you that I stand here before you barely able to parry the thrusts of your tongue?'

Resting his head against Shasarik's back, Vaeshir moves his hands to settle on Shasarik's shoulders.

Padraic says 'Thrusts?  I merely make conversation.'

Shasarik says 'I have, as you might not be abled to ascertain, not just grown in size.'

Padraic smiles from beneath the shadows.

Shasarik says 'My wits are about me, Padraic.  What have you to gain?'
Shasarik spins quickly to lock eyes with Vaeshir.
Shasarik peers into the shadows but cannot look past the cloak of the invisable.

Padraic says 'Entertainment, Shasarik.  Entertainment.'

Shasarik suddenly looks as though he has remembered something.
Shasarik lowers his head slightly.

Padraic throws his hands up towards the cavern ceiling exultantly.

Shasarik turns slowly to face Padraic once again.
Shasarik says 'Surely one of your profession can obtain entertainment enough for the correct price.'

Padraic says 'The world is a stage, with the gods pulling the strings, my dear boy.'
Padraic says 'But for some of us, it is possible to watch, and not be drawn.'
The crysmal leaves east.

Shasarik says 'But... it is because they see things in us we do not see...'

Vaeshir trembles slightly.

Shasarik says 'There are reasons...'
Shasarik says 'The questions... they have answers...'
Shasarik spins to face Vaeshir.
Shasarik says 'You know some of those answers... you...'

Padraic says fervently 'They have designs.'

Shasarik halts suddenly.

Padraic says 'They have ambitions, they have desires.'

Shasarik turns to face Padraic.
Shasarik says 'Yes...'
Shasarik says 'Designs...'

Padraic says 'They are men, like you and I, with flesh and bone removed from the equation.'

Shasarik says 'Power... the... power...'

Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly. 

Shasarik says 'Padraic, it is not that simple...'

Padraic claps his hands together.
Padraic says 'Of course not!'

Shasarik says 'If you shared my... dreams?'
Shasarik shivers violently for a moment.
Shasarik shakes his head.

Vaeshir holds up a hand before Shasarik.

Shasarik says 'Not simple... no...'

Padraic turns his head away, as if listening to something.

Vaeshir takes several steps towards Padraic, closing the distance between them.
Vaeshir whispers 'You are a messenger.'

Padraic purses his lips, then nods slowly in a growing smile.

Shasarik says 'You...?'

Padraic says 'I am what you make of me.'
Padraic says 'A messenger, a thief, an actor...'

Shasarik drinks water from a large leather water skin.

Vaeshir whispers 'A puppet.'

Shasarik says 'A child... like me...'

Padraic says 'A player, who controls his own pieces.'

Vaeshir tilts his head, amused.

Padraic says 'The imagination is a wonderful tool.  Wonderful, but dangerous.'

Shasarik says 'No, no... you... you yourself don't quite understand it all yet... I do not either... but...'

Padraic says 'Suppose that I knew absolutely nothing?'
Padraic grins broadly.

Vaeshir turns his eyeless gaze to face Shasarik. 

Padraic says 'Suppose that I... simply knew how to talk the talk?'

Shasarik lowers his eyes to the crystal-covered ground.

Vaeshir says softly 'Not possible.'

Shasarik says 'Yes, Lord Vaeshir.'

Padraic says 'I am what you make of me, good sirs.'

Shasarik says 'Ill-phrased, methinks.'

Padraic drinks water from an everfull chalice.

Vaeshir reaches towards the chalice, palm held upwards.

Padraic sighs softly.
Padraic says 'You wish a drink from my cup, shuddeni?'

Shasarik says 'How else can one more completely deny his own statement of complete control than by stating that they are what those tho surround them make of them?'

Shasarik says 'Padraic, it is an illusionist's game you play.'

Vaeshir says softly 'A certain amount of trust is required to speak as we do now. I take the next step.'

Padraic extends the chalice towards you.
Padraic says 'Take care.  Not all may find the taste... pleasing.'
Padraic gives you an everfull chalice.

It's about half-filled with  a clear liquid.

Vaeshir raises the chalice to his lips.
You drink water from an everfull chalice.
You drink water from an everfull chalice.
Your thirst is quenched.

Shasarik remains motionless.

You give an everfull chalice to Padraic.

Padraic circles a finger about the edge of the chalice, then tucks it into the folds of his cloak.

Padraic says 'You are correct gentlemen.  It is a game I play.'
Padraic says 'And in every game, there are rules which must be abided by.'
Padraic says 'And there are prizes to be won.'

Shasarik says 'And stakes to be lost.'

Padraic says 'And you must ask yourself, what these rules are, and what are the prizes.'

Vaeshir traces his fingers idly across the scales covering his neck. 

Padraic eyes the remains of the crysmal.
Padraic says 'And of course, the losses.'

Shasarik runs 'his clawed hands across a chipped section of his scales.'
Shasarik runs his clawed hands across a chipped section of his scales.

You think 'It has already begun.'

Shasarik exhales slowly and silently.

Padraic eyes your neck carefully, a slight frown upon his face.
Padraic gestures towards you with a beckoning finger.
Padraic stops using a string of dragon-bone hair beads.
Padraic wears a pair of runed spectacles on his head.
Padraic stops using a pair of runed spectacles.
Padraic wears a string of dragon-bone hair beads on his head.

Shasarik catches himself turning his head to look at Vaeshir and stops.

Padraic murmurs 'Come closer.'

Vaeshir takes the remaining steps towards Padraic.

You now follow Padraic.

Shasarik keeps his vision centered between Padraic and Vaeshir.

Padraic places a hand upon your head and pushes it forward, exposing the scaled neck.

Shasarik blinks once.

Vaeshir winces slightly, amazed at the pain.

Shasarik stops using a long steel foil.
Shasarik wields an axe made from tempered steel.
Shasarik dual wields a long steel foil.
Shasarik turns the axe over in his hands.

Padraic runs a finger along the scaled surface, murmuring quietly to himself.

Shasarik says 'Are you well, my Lord?'

Vaeshir exhales quietly.

Padraic murmurs to himself 'It moves more quickly than I had expected.'
Padraic removes his hand.

Shasarik grabs his midsection suddenly as a dull pain grows stronger within him.
Shasarik says 'A loaf, Lord Vaeshir?'
Shasarik breaks the cake in two before eating the halves.
Shasarik eats a cake of Nendorian waybread.

Padraic says 'You are living the life of a pauper, srryn, and yet you say that you have no more wants?'
Padraic says 'You two are in an interesting position.  I should not have left you as unattended as I have.'

Shasarik frowns slightly, flexing his tail off the ground.

Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly. 

Shasarik eyes the crysmal passively as it moves into the other room.

Padraic says 'I think it would be in your best interest if you began to explain yourselves.'
Padraic looks at Shasarik.

Shasarik says 'To you, Padraic?'

Padraic says 'Or to your gods.  Whichever you prefer.'

Shasarik smiles slightly.

Padraic says 'Either way, it shall return to me.'

Vaeshir walks swifly towards Shasarik.

Shasarik says 'You know a bit less than I thought, it seems, gentle thief.'

Padraic says 'Do I?'

Shasarik turns quickly in attempt to face Vaeshir.

Vaeshir takes his place behind Shasarik, his hands resting on Shasarik's shoulders.

Shasarik says 'Of my explainations at least, aye.'

Vaeshir's left hand gently strokes one shoulder, the other firmly resisting the turn.

Padraic says 'An explanation is more than a collection of chance statements.'
Padraic says 'It provides a full picture, where there once were only pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.'

Answering your call, a raven arrives to bond with you.

Padraic says 'And'
Padraic says 'As your friend so astutely pointed out, a measure of trust is needed.'
Padraic gestures towards you.

Shasarik says 'Now always.'
Shasarik says 'Er, not.'
Shasarik says 'Not when one is bound by an oath of blood.'
Shasarik says 'Trust becomes irrelivant.'

Vaeshir, silent, holds a hand out to the raven.

Padraic steps out of the shadows.
Padraic says 'Do you really think that blood is all that is on the line, dear boy?'

Shasarik flinches.
Shasarik drinks water from a large leather water skin.

A raven lands lightly on your hand.

Padraic says 'If so, you know fewer rules than I have given you credit for.'

Shasarik says 'There is more, yes...'

Vaeshir strokes the bird's feathers lovingly, a smile resting on his face.

Shasarik says 'These are the... Other Things.'

Padraic fingers his pendant idly, then tucks it beneath his tunic.
Padraic drinks water from an everfull chalice.

Shasarik says 'They elude me...'

Padraic eats a bowl of beef broth.

Shasarik says 'But they are here... around us.'
Shasarik closes his eyes.
Shasarik says 'And in my dreams... that is where they show themselves the most.'
Shasarik says 'More than blood, yes.'
Shasarik slowly removes his gauntlets to show his sharpened nails.
Shasarik stops using a pair of blue dragonscale gauntlets.
Shasarik whispers 'more... than blood.'

Vaeshir casts Padraic a knowing glance.

Padraic quietly watches on, his eyes darting quickly about the cave.

Shasarik chants 'Below... deep below the surface... 'neath the most ancient hill... dwell my children...'

Padraic says 'These crystalline beasts are beginning to irk me.'

A shimmering gate rises up before you.

Shasarik snaps out of his altered state.

Padraic gestures for Shasarik to enter first.

Shasarik blinks.

Vaeshir motions towards the gate 'Trust.'

Shasarik touches the gate hesitantly.

Padraic holds up a finger.

Shasarik steps into a shimmering gate.

Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly. 

Padraic says 'An interesting toy.'
Padraic says 'How long has he been this way?'

Vaeshir says softly 'It took only days to weave this one's web.'
Vaeshir says softly 'He has been with me for most of his life.'

A Crystal-filled Cave
  The subterranean tunnel curves to the north and east at this point, the
cave walls formed of a dark brown sedimentary stone.  Sprouting from this
stone are dozens of naturally-formed crystals, whose intricate shapes line
the walls in shimmering patterns.  Broken shards and whole shafts of crystal
lay about the floor of the cave, the smaller pieces filling the various
cracks and variations in the stone floor. 

[Exits: north east]
     A shimmering black gate rises from the ground, leading to parts unknown.
(Charmed) A raven with coal black feathers circles around this place.
Padraic the Hero of the Shadows is here.


Padraic says 'The srryn are not known for their fortitude.'
Padraic says 'But he is waiting.'
Padraic steps into a shimmering gate.

You enter a shimmering gate.

123[4]5 Return to: The Apocrypha See also: Vaeshir, Shasarik, Padraic