Honing the Form

Member created stories, poems, & other creative work.
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The ink on the page needed time to dry, and Vale waited. Sitting alone at the desk he carefully removed six stone plates that were engraved with the first Unbroken Circles of Zerthimon and placed them beside the journal he had been keeping. Each of them was curved and they appeared to fit together to create a united whole, though he could not determine how. The symbolism was not lost on him.

Here he sat with time passing and puzzle pieces he could not connect. Puzzle pieces he had been told he created himself, though he had no memory of doing so. He did not know if there were pieces missing or if he had all that he needed. How many of his current uncertainty was nothing more then a puzzle of his own making?

His fingers worked to lay the stones out in different patterns as his mind considered the puzzle on another level. First he laid out the Stones in a chronological order starting with the First Circle and then progressing clockwise until a circle of six stones was laid before him. Vale considered his missing memory, the manner in which he may have lived and what the past might mean for the present he found himself in and what impact such may have upon his future.

It was true that no matter where you went, there you where, and that regardless of what was or will be there was only the now. Following this line of thought there was motivation to not concern himself with what pieces maybe missing from the stones or his memory. To ignore what was and what maybe and instead accept what is currently and let the present be his guide.

It was also true that without Knowing how he arrived to where he was, he could not really Know the present in the deepest sense, and without regards for what was and what may come to be he would be living in a willfully ignorant manner.

So much and more of his many concerns were paradoxical and the more he examined them the farther he felt from understanding them. Yet to abandon them would be irresponsible and potentially harmful to himself and others.

He once believed his memory loss was a casualty of the attack on Evereska, and now he had reason to suspect it was self inflicted.

He once believed he was an adherent to the teachings of Zerthimon and it was his responsablity to defend people from that which would use them as cattle, and now he did not know the truth of Zerthimon's teachings or if they were the words of the Illithid.

He did not Know who he was, is, or may become.

Vale's fingers worked to rearrange the stones on the desk, even though the ink had long since dried on the page. This time he ignored the chronology order of the engravings and arranged them by shapes to see if they might better fit together ignoring the traditional progression of time and order.

Throughout the years he remembered he had avoided the indulgences of the fleash. He made an effort to avoid strong drink, pleasures, and allowing his emotions to rule over his choices. Now that his Knowledge of things appeared false and his choices suspect, he asked why he had lived as he had for as long as he had. To what end did it serve to deny himself the touch of a woman, the taste of wine, and the thrills of living a life filled with emotional highs and lows? How much of actually living life had he only a theoretical understanding of without any practical experince?

The stones did not fit together any better them before, they were simply laying there in a different variation of incompatibility. Careful and methodically Vale packed them away.

Vale decided that in the absence of distance and direction, without understanding his past or his future, he would focus his efforts on exploring the present in ways he previous had not. He would not a abandon the stones nor the puzzle they represented, he though would place them upon the metaphorical shelf for a time. He would take a walk, he would go exploring and get his hands dirty seeing and experiencing that which he had previously not.

Vale closed the journal and returned it to the shelf before he walked unhurried outside the Font of Knowledge and onto the streets. It was time to live a little.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

Sarenna and Wren were prepared to meet with Vale, and he entered the room prepared for the worst. After needless pleasantries and small talk were exchanged by the others, Vale focused his gaze on Sarenna and waited. He knew Kal and Sarenna desired Vansa's capture, all he was here for was to learn what plan they had if any, and more importantly if their plan failed if they would work with or against others to see Vansa Khalun destroyed.

"We have to capture her, as I said before. The hardest part of that, from battling her, is how she teleports away ,when the fight turns against her. That's where Bran would come in. Keryn might be able to help us too, but I haven't spoken to her about it yet. I will."

Vale remained silent and continued to study Sarenna as Wren asked what Bran would be able to do and Sarenna replied.

"There's a spell that keep her teleport from whisking her away. It anchors her in this plane, so that she can't shift to wherever she's escaping to. Long enough to turn her into her mist state, once we slay her."

Vale remained silent as Wren continued to season Sarenna's plan with a peppering of questions.

"And then? How do you capture a mist?"

"If she keeps to her attack from previous fights, she won't teleport till she's truly threatened. We will have to follow her. It's the most uncertain part of the plan, because we just don't know how far that will be. If she has her coffin in the same hold, then it should be a simple enough matter. But there's no way of knowing for sure. Not that we've thought of yet."

It was obvious Wren wanted to unite everyone in a common effort, her following remark only severed to make it even easier to see.

"It's got to be close or else she would die anyway...."

Without missing a beat Sarenna nodded in quick agreement and swiftly added.

"Once she's in her coffin, we'll chain it shut, and Kal and I will contain the whole of it in our bag of holding."

While Vale wondered what purpose bringing the coffin served, and then realized that without Vansa's grave dirt to aid in her recovery, Alathene Moonstar would never have the oppertunity to question the Vampire. Wren asked if such a thing was even possible, and Sarenna continued.

"Then as quickly as we can, get her coffin and all to Alathene. The bag is highly enchanted. It should work. I've fit things nearly the size of a coffin in it before."

When Kal first told Vale of this idea of capture, it was said that it was through Alathene Moonstar's direct aid that it would be possible, and now it was implied that Lady Moonstar would not be directly involved. Vale decided to speak up and have this clarified.

"Alathene Moonstar......then will not be a part of the capture?"

Sarenna in turn did her best to make it sound as if attempting such was our responsablity. An obvious effort to lure him into feeling a sense of personal responsablity.

"No..it will be up to us."

Vale simply nodded to let Sarenna know he heard her and was prepared to continue listening, while Wren in an effort to keep everyone communicating with eachother asked for clarification.

"Why? I mean, if she wants Vansa so badly why not help us?"

Without effort Sarenna provided the explanation and excuse she had prepared. One that hinted at the Lich being in need of help and worthy of pity. Vale gave her high Mark's for her tactics, but was yet to feel any sense of personal responsablity for her and Kal's assignment, nor pity for the Lich.

"Alathene's strength fades quickly away from the safety of the temple. I've seen it myself. At the right time, when Selune is full, she has more freedom. But we can't wait. We need to strike her, and soon."


The added touch of urgency was noted for it was note worthy. Chance are some ill fate awaited Kal and Sarenna if they delayed, and their personal concerns were being obfuscated under the guise of a desire to stop Vansa from hurting others. Sarenna was no slouch when she was making an effort to be persuasive. In an effort to remain focused and on task, to not get lost in Sarenna's web he spoke up to ask a question returning the conversation to that which he was here to learn.

"What is your and Kal's plan should Bran or Keryn fail to provide the Anchoring Spell?"

In an effort to shield Sarenna from his interrogation, Wren started offering alternatives to Sarenna and Kal's capture plan.

"Vale, those notes you gave me, from Muffinbop."

Sarenna though stuck to the script she had prepared.

"Then we'll have to find another who can, I suppose. The spell is powerful, but not beyond a capable cleric. We won't be able to stop her escaping without it though."

Wren pressed on with her alternative capture plan.
"they said that a vampire could be immobilized with a regular stake. "

The plan was weak in Vale's opinion, not that he faulted Kal or Sarenna for such. He himself had given the challenge of capturing Vansa Khalun some thought and failed to develop a plan he believed to be strong enough to succeed. Regardless of his sympathy for challenge of creating a feasible plan to accomplish such, what they had developed was at best situational and relied heavily on luck. Vansa would likely be prepared to insure her escape means were many and varied, and had proven already she knew well enough to prepare routes that were only accessable to those capable of moving as mist. What was most important to Vale was knowing if Kal and Sarenna would work to sabotage the group if their plan to capture failed, and so he spoke.

"What I am asking you is....what is your and Kal's plan if you have no means to Anchor Vansa Khalun."

Wren on her effort to moderate spoke up to clarify.

"I think , serenna, he's asking if you're prepared to kill her if all efforts at capture fail."

Sarenna stalled and looked to the ground while wearing a frown in an effort to answer as honestly as she could without answering the question at all.

"Mmmm...I can't rule it out entirely, Vale. I know it could happen."

This was the worst that Vale had entered the room prepared to hear, and he could not refrain from frowning in response. Kal and Sarenna were not prepared to compromise their own personal agenda to work with others to see Vansa destroyed if their plan to capture failed.

Once more in her role as moderator Wren spoke up in effort to see the divide bridged.

"If we go ingo this together, we all have to be on the same page."

It was a bridge Sarenna was unwilling to cross, and so she made the effort to distract from it and the divide.

"But a great deal rests on us getting her alive to Alathene. Well, what counts for alive."

It was made clear already that Kal and Sarenna were committed to their own agenda without compromise, that though was not going to stop Vale from exploring why.

"Elborate on what exactly this great deal, is."

Without hesitation, Sarenna provided a list that Vale suspected was less then complete.

"Kal's curse, Vanrak's vengeance on him...Vansa is the key to uncovering the path through Undermountain to Vanrak's Hold."

Wren was making a study of Vale, perhaps in effort to gauge his response to what had been shared or to glean some insight as to what could be done to salvage the possibility of team work. It was then that Vale shared his opinion.

"Wrong."

Arguing with Vale Clearwaters was well within Sarenna's proverbial wheel House and she was quick to take the helm.

"Yer thinking there's another way. To find it?"

In an effort to demand peace, Wren verbally positioned herself between them and the pair of them went back and forth while Vale waited.

"There's always another way..."

"Alathene herself seemed intent...as if even she couldn't get at her brother without Vansa's memories."

"The gods don't create straight paths."

It was then that Vale elaborated on what was wrong with Sarenna's claims.

"Vansa is a key......capturing and extracting information from Vansa Khalun is a means of making it easier for you and Kal to find Vanrak.......Vansa though is not the only means."

Sarenna's response, let Vale know how lost the cause was.

"It's a lot of unknowns, Vale. But helping Alathene..the voice of Kal's Goddess here....that's clearer. It's the surest path we have."

To hear her claim the Lich Alathene Moonstar was the voice of Selune, was evidence enough that Kal and Sarenna either truly believed such to be true or were willing to claim such to have their way. In truth the outcome was the same for Vale.

Wren spoke up in a futile effort to bring Sarenna towards compromise, going so far as to call her a sibling.

"I will agree with Vale on this sister. I want Kal free from what ever darkness plagues him but leaving a vampire alive when we have the chance to kill her? if she can't be captured."

Like water off a Yuanti's back, Sarenna maneuvered to avoid saying out right what she had already implied, and instead tried to shift the focus back to something sounding reasonable.

"I can't promise you any of this will work. Of course capturing her is what we want. But a lot of it is in the Lady's hands. The spell might fail. The enemies between us and her coffin on the mist's course may be too great"

He had had enough, and so he said it plain and direct to her.

"Then you and Kal need to ask yourselves what is more important to the pair of you.......stopping Vansa Khalun, or risking Vansa's escape and continued existence for the reward of making your other goals easier to reach."

That was really their choice to make, would they put the safety of the people of Warerdeep before their own personal desires or stat solely dedicated to their own self serving agenda and claim it justified because they are receiving orders from a Lich whose goal to see Vanrak Moonstar destroyed is aligned with their own, no matter the cost.

Sarenna did not reply to Vale's words with any outward expression beyond the tighting of her lips and expression of concerning thought. It was in this lull that Wren spoke up once more in effort to provide enough alternative Capture options that Sarenna did not have to make a choice of what would be done if capture failed.

"There are unknonws on either side, what about a backup plan?"

Sarenna was once more swift to avoid having to speak her true heart, and instead latching onto anything that might provide distance between herself and the choice that mattered most.

"Yer staking idea sounds promising, Wren."

After Sarenna's encouragement, Wren pressed on.

"It would have to be a regular stake, not blessedd. Then we toss her in the coffin, chain it up and so forth, but we would have to get her down fast."

Keeping the momentum of the banter flowing, Sarenna added.

"If we could immobilize her, and find her coffin in time, that could work, even if the Dimensional anchor fails. Will you look into preparing the stakes we would need?"

Without hesitation Wren accepted the responsibility.

"I can."

Then Wren looked to Vale and asked what he thought. In response Sarenna lowered her gaze to the carpet and her body went still.

In an effort to prepare Sarenna, to inform her that her choice made or not was of importance, Vale spoke calmly and unhurried.

" have a very direct question for you Sarenna....."

It was at this that she raised her gaze to meet his own.

"Are you and Kal going to undermine the efforts of others to stop Vansa to provide yourselves another opertunity to Capture her?"

Evasive and stalling, she did not answer, but instead rephrased the question as a statement. Perhaps in preperarion to claim offense, followed by a flare of emotions and a torrent of barbed words to distract.

"You mean would we let her escape rather than kill her."

Wren simply clarified.
"Yes."

It was a momentary indulgence to see her provoked when he asked rhetorically.

"Was the Question not clear enough?"

In an effort to defend Sarenna and defuse the tension with a small smile, Wren said.

"Not everyone thinks like you do , love."

More diversion and verbal evasion, an effort on Sarenna's part to circle back on the importance of success.

"Believe me, Vale. No one wants her dead more than me. She's escaped us already, and more than once. And we're still pursuing her. But you have to understand...if she dies before we can learn what she knows about Vanrak, that's a failure too."

Vale simply nodded because he knew without a doubt why success in capturing Vansa was as important as it was to Sarenna. She did not want to betray her companions if it could be avoided through victory, but knew that both her and Kal would without hesitation do everything in their power to see Vansa eventually captured rather then destroyed. Dark acts Sarenna would rather not commit, but knew her and Kal to be capable of and willing to, for the cause.

"I heard enough. I hope you and Kal succeed."

It was with after sharing that truth, Vale turned to leave. He knew that to venture into the Vampire's lair with Kal and Sarenna was akin to helping a Scorpion with a water crossing, and Vale simply would not subject himself or others for such. It would be better to allow them to make thier best effort, he would not stand against them or in their way. If they succeeded, then that would be for the best perhaps, and should they fail, at least others would not be drowned in such.

As Vale walked out into the City Streets he turned his thoughts to organizing an effort against Vansa made up of those he trusted to work together and stay the course without division within the ranks.

"A divided mind is one that does not know itself. When it is divided, it cleaves the body in two. When one has a single purpose, the body is strengthened."
VIII Unbroken Circle of Zerthimon.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The burden of the armored corpse was unrelenting and Vale slowly moved forward beneath it. With each step along the High Road towards Virgin Square the weight shifted and Vale had to work to keep the remains from bringing him low. Vale knew he was as responsable for the loss of Morgan's life as he was for the death and Undeath of the children of Helm's Hall. He had allowed himself to become distracted, and confused. Vale Clearwaters allowed the wrong questions distract him from the answers he had already known, and in doing so lost Knowing of himself.

After laying Morgan's corpse into the cart, Vale's back cracked audibly several times in rapid succession as he stood upright and leaned back with his teeth clenched and pain visable to see on his face. He had allowed himself to become distracted and turned around. He had lost focus by allowing one small distraction into his life after another until he was so deeply buried beneath them, that they became all he knew. Such was a gilded cage of his own making, and he had become so comfortable within it he confused it's bars with himself and when they were rattled he panicked.

Vale paid the driver his six bits and told him the destination. As the cart jostled and bounced over the cobblestone streets, he reflected on his good intentions and bad ideas lead him to where he was. Each building upon the last until the life that he was living outgrew his sense of self, and he lost his knowing of who he was to it. The Githyanki's words were not what broke him, they were never an attack upon Vale, only an assault upon the gilded cage, the illusion of himself that Vale had become invested in.

When did who he was begin to determine who he is?
When did the past begin to matter more then the present?
Why did doubts in Zerthimon inspire doubt in himself?

The foundations for these failures were laid in place before he ever reached the City of Splendors, and each accomplishment since his arrival has only served to build upon such false works. The idea that he could serve the people and defend them from those who preyed upon them while living amongst them as one of them was the foundation of his failure. Good intentions alone are not enough to accomplish good works. He had lacked discipline and direction, he lacked focus, and in his ambiguous undefined directionless state he had become lost.

He confused the Unbroken with the Lessons he learned from them.

He confused his responsablity to serve the Guild and himself with the title it granted.

He confused who he may have been with who he had decided to become.

He blamed the unknowns of what was, for his inability to decide what should or could be.

All of this and more was born from his naive belief that because he had read the Unbroken Circles and had found inspiration from them that he had transcended the pitfalls and traps of the flesh and life that they had warned against. Vale Clearwaters arrived to the City of Splendors with the Eye of Vilquari and now Morgan Thane and so many others were lifeless husks because of his unwillingness see past what he had wanted to see, and recgonize the reality that was.

The cart came to a stop and Vale grit his teeth and narrowed his eyes before taking hold of his burden and lifting with his legs.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

Leaving the Font of Knowledge, the streets of Waterdeep were blindingly bright with the midday light of Lathander, and Vale raised his hand to shield his eyes. He turned left and began the walk back to the dockwards while reflecting upon his life choices. The walk was uneventful and when he reached the small room he had been renting he opened the old armoire and removed a heavy pouch of stones from the back.

Sitting on the floor, with the stones laid out before him in a tight circular pattern he closed his eyes and worked to clear his mind. There existed regrets, wants, fears, and desires, none of which were easily dismissed or released from his thoughts. Each required it's own examination and study before he could put it behind him and move pass it.

The regrets were many, not the least of which were his ignorance of who he was, where he had been, what he had done and why. Until he Knew, it was an erroneous concern acting only as a distraction from who he was and could be, and living his life in a manner that may serve to protect the freedoms and lives of others.

He wanted to lose himself in the arms of Wren Bluefeather, to drink sweet wines and dance upon laughter. Nights of long kisses and passionate embrassing left him in a blissful euphoria with a smile upon his face and a heart that knew peace. To lose himself into the embrace of another, and for it to be her who's smile brightened his eyes, who's voice made his heart sing, who's music made his body move to dance, and who's love melted away all the worries of this world and others. This was what he wanted, to be happy with her, and for her to be happy with him. If he was to go through life allowing his feelings to make his choices, instead of his commitments, he would make himself easy prey to those he dedicated to defending others from. He needed the disipline that came from saying no to what he wanted most, and as sad as such was for him and maybe for Wren, he only need think of the victims he failed to protect and the monsters he failed to stop to know there was an price to be paid for his indulgence. These things and more were indulgences he craved, cushions on his feet that eased the pains of traversing difficult roads.

His fears were not as easily identified, but no less real, and mostly born from the unknown. Vale feared who he may have been and what he may have done, and more then that he feared in time his choices would prove to have been made not in service to the peoples but against them. With so many unknowns, it was difficult to not allow fear to paralyze him or to run in effort to hide from it. In the end though Vale knew he could neither allow such to cripple him or lead him a stray. If he was to serve the peoples, he would need to overcome his fears and act regardless of them.

Vale's desires were as many as the stars in the night sky or grians of sand across the Anauroch. Often his body craved the comforts of soaking in warm waters, the embrace of a lover, the settling into a sturdy chair, and the taste of well seasoned fire roasted meat, the song sung by sweet wines and the dulling of his aches and pains, the temporary obfuscation of his myriad concerns. These luxuries and more were comforting cushions upon his feet that made life's roads softer on his metaphorical soles. Mortality only allowed for so many steps to be taken a life time, and moving forward Vale intended each to be an exercise in endurance, and never again to squander another upon the soft indulgences of comfort seeking.

He would serve as defender of the lives and freedoms of People.

He would be the Steel that that defended the minds and bodies of people from that which would prey upon them.

To become Steel he would hone his form and refine his mettle.

Each step forward would be to develop the will needed to not only see such Honing and Refinements made, but to insure such
was wielded well and true against that which would prey upon the peoples of this world and others.

No longer would he allow that which would dull his senses or ease his mind while washing away the pains of his body.

No longer would he accept meat as a form of nourishment.

No longer would he indulge a lover's touch.

No longer would he hold title or wealth.

No longer would he allow distractions from himself.

Each turning will be a step towards honing his form and refining his mettle.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The Plinth was crowded as it often is, and Vale slowly opened his eyes and went about collecting his possessions. Once his bags were packed he headed out into the street to begin his day with the others who called the floor of the Tower of All Faiths home. He orientated his steps towards the Adventurer’s Guild where he intended to learn what he could about the various Demon encounters he had heard of across the city. The walk was uneventful beyond the normal crowds and symphony of noises filling the city streets. In short order Vale reached the front door to the Guild House and entered.

The great hall was far from empty as several people gathered about the fireplace and the door it’s self was flanked by a pair of Dwarves who appeared to be performing a sentry duty of sorts. The dwarf on his immediate right, Trin Stonemender, exclaimed his name in recognition. The one known as Elero announced with profanity some surprise at how everyone seemed to be arriving to the Guild Hall at once. While Wren Bluefeather and Aglorus Starmaraster looked over with mild amusement.

With a pair of unhurried hands Vale slowly reached up to ease his hood back and off his head while making a study of the Dwarves flanking himself and the entrance. Trin who was not brandishing a weapon was known to him and appeared welcoming, while the other who had axe in hand and was an unknown entity seemed set upon blocking his path with determination.

The scene was confusing enough that Vale sought clarification.
“May I enter?”

In response Wren Bluefeather continued her discussion with Aglorus near the fire, while the unknown Dwarf asked if Vale had any weapons to declare, and Trin waved Vale further into the great hall and declared he would always be welcomed. Inclining his head respectfully to the pair of Dwarves Vale took a slow and unhurried stride deeper into the great hall as if testing the waters in effort to determine the truth of the mixed messages.

It was then that Elero spoke up providing a name to the previously unknown Dwarf.
“Shake him down Ivar, get a door fee. Man door dwarves kick ass.”

Ivar, clad from head to toe in gleaming platemail, with shield and axe in hand moved with a deftness to let it be known that he was not going to be so easily by passed. Vale came to a full stop after his single step into the hall and waited to see what may come next. Trin after decalring he himself was no such thing as a Door Dwarf informed Ivar that Vale was likely loaded with a variety of weapons.

In response Vale began looking over his robes to make an inventory of what he had on his person. There was the small steel blade Aglorus had gave him to carve his way out of the belly of the purple worm incase he had been swallowed whole, there was his long bow, a couple necrovine stakes, and a wide assorted variety of alchemical breath weapons and perhaps an inappropriate amount of explosive concoctions. It was then that Ivar declared they would be Peace Bound or Vale would be out the door.

Vale was certain he did not Know how to Peace bound a Fire Bomb.
Trin informed Ivar that it may take five minutes or more for Vale to remove his various weapons, and Ivar informed Trin that he would prefer Vale be answering the questions himself. Over the noise of it all Vale managed to hear Wren and Aglorus discussing the topics of the recent Demon encounters that he himself had come to learn more of. It was important that experiences of each encounter be pooled together and shared so that the lessons learned from each might be used to help with the next. It was possible that these encounters were the beginning of a new threat rising, one that might be stopped before it truly gained momentum if the pattern to it could be discovered and proper actions taken sooner rather then to late to stop it.

It was then that Trin asked if Vale’s former position as Guild Master would make a difference to sway Ivar’s stance that the weapons be Peace Knotted or he be turned out. Ivar, rather promptly let it be known that such would change nothing, and he announced it could be Vale was harboring ill will towards the Guild and it’s members.


“Is there a place I should just lay them out.....or should I hand them to you directly?”

It was then that Wren looked over from her conversing with Aglorus about an encounter with a Half-Fiend and took a moment to inform Ivar and the others that Vale was a dear friend and that she trusted with her life.
Aglorus remarked upon the amusement of the day’s scene playing out before him.

Trin asked that Wren specifically inform Ivar that Vale need not be subject to the Weapons collection, Inventory Taking, and Peace Knotting.

Elero, once more insisted there should be a door fee charged of Vale.
As the opinions of those gathered continued to be exchanged, Aglorus remarked on Ivar’s lack of manners, Ivar remarked on Trin’s lack of respect for the Guild Leader, and Vale passed along to Elero his last six coins he had been saving incase of the need for a cart to cross the city scape quickly, and Elero handed Vale a Beer, which was then placed upon the bar top in the lounge without ceremony.

As Trin and Ivar continued to exchange their differences in opinions, Elero laughed at the whole affair and perhaps in celebration of his newly acquired wealth, Vale moved to join Aglorus and Wren near the fireside in hopes he may learn what he came seeking. While exchanging greetings with Wren and Aglorus he could hear the pair of dwarves continue to bicker near the door, and no sooner then the topic of conversation was turned once more to the matter of Demons…Sarenna entered the Guild Hall and once more the Security protocols of Ivar and the Siren’s response to them dominated everyone’s attention.

In the chaos that followed Vale managed to learn through the numerous voices speaking over each other that Sarenna and Wren intended to rehearse for a duet, Kal had lost an arm to someone who liked to do mind stuff, and there had recently been a violent man in the Guild House possibly named Fyrr who may or may not have been under mind influencing effects while attacking or threating members within the Guild Hall. Out of the various things overhead, perhaps the most alarming was Hudol’s voiced opinion that Sarenna was harmless and the most dangerous thing about her was her singing voice.

Vale could not help but pity the Paladin’s ignorance.

As the various people in the room continued their conversations, Vale worked to remain focused on Elero and his telling of his own encounter with a Vrock within the City Sewers along a section of Canal just North of the Adventurer’s Guild. That was until the continued discussion of who should and should not be questioned at the door and who and should and should not have their weapons removed or Peace Knotted caught his ear and inspired him to ask.

“Is the Adventurer's Guild Hall no longer a welcoming place to those seeking such?”

Wren declared that of course it is, Ivar stated the last person to join nearly killed half the members so perhaps not to such as him and his ilk, and Hudol asked what about peace knots made the place unwelcoming. All the while Sarenna and Aglorus exchanged some lite banter about the how mildly amusing this all was to them.

Vale could not help but ponder the Paladin’s question and the various other responses to his own question. During his own time here everyone who passed through the door was treated as a welcomed guest until they proved themselves unwelcome, there had never been a guard placed at the door, and there had never been request that weapons be knotted. It had always been understood that everyone who walked through that door was more then likely a well-armed and potentially dangerously competent adventurer of a varying degree of experience and every and all people who entered should be treated with the respect of being a potential friend or threat. Vale’s mind also turned to the Winter of the Spell Freeze in which the Guild Hall and it’s Members and Guests survived uncounted attacks as Frozen Water Elementals, Yetis, and other Servants of the Frostmaiden teleported into the Guild with surprising regularity and always without warning.

Did requiring those that entered this building to peace knot their weapons, make the place unwelcoming? It made it unwelcoming to Vale.

Perhaps it was his paranoia? The thought of asking anyone who was not your enemy to in anyway hamper their ablity to defend themselves seemed extremely demeaning. To Vale's mind infringing upon the ablity of another to draw Steel was perhaps one of the most unwelcoming acts one could commit.

Was not the Adventurer's Quarter, and the Guild House in particular a place where peers could gather without pretense or restrictions?

In time Wren and Sarenna left to rehearse together, and Vale’s interview of Elero’s encounter lead him to interviewing the Paladin of Mystra next.

“Who was next to encounter the Demons?”

Hudol replied.
“I have encountered some of the fiends”

Vale asked.
“Was your Peace Knot an effective deterrent?”

Hudol perhaps confused or in disbelief of the question asked his own.
“To what?”

So Vale Clearwaters provided clarity.
“The Demons you encountered?”

Hudol in turn answered in a manner that implied there was no Peace Knot present.
“I encountered them in the sewers.”

Vale simply slowly nodded, before Hudol asked.
“Are you mocking the practice of peace-knotting?”

Uncertain if that was a rhetorical question or not, Vale ignored it and pressed forward with the questions he came to the Guild in hopes of finding some answers to.
“If you would, tell me of your encounter with the Demons.”

”It is a time-honored tradition to show respect. Respect is earned. You must give it as much to get it.”

Aglorus made a study of his fingernails, while Vale remained silent until hearing the Paladin out and confessing honestly after a small shrug of indifference.
“ I am in truth not here for your Respect....I only want to consolidate what has been learned about the Demons from the various encounters people have had with them recently so I may share it with those that would stand against them. If your feeling...disrespected is going to prevent you from sharing......I am willing to humble myself.”

Hudol's response gave Vale pause.
“You have come here and disregarded the polite request of Ivar, and acted with disdain towards the others here, including myself. You have been nothing but rude. Why should I answer your questions?”

It was then that Aglorus Starmaraster excused himself from the Guild Hall, he was always the far more intelligent one of out of the pair of them.
“Well, this has been informative... Thank you for having me.”

Trin Spoke up.
“Now guild members... Vale means good overall, he's never been a people person I'm sure you can tell, but he is someone we can count on when thing's go dire...”

Perhaps there was something about the Demon encounter the Paladin was unwilling to share, and so Vale asked.
“Did something happen.....you would rather not share?”

Vale slowly begins studying Hudol with a near unblinking clinical gaze, to which the Paladin replied.
"I have no secrets."

Vale walked n a semi circle around the Paladin, making a study of him while Trin spoke up.
"He's a palidan of Mystra doubt you'ld find a lie in him anywere."

Hudol was being unexpectedly proud and evasive, and so Vale pressed his inquiry.
"May I inspect your skull?"

The question appeared to come as some surpise as Hudol asked.
"Come again?"

And Elero who had been busy with his beer exclaimed.
"That's a fucking question."

Trin in an effort to either understand what was afoot or perhaps in an effort to forge some sort of harmony where Discord was brewing spoke up.
"Please clarify Vale..."

It was in Vale's opinion a legitimate request and response to his own so he made an effort to make his motivations and concerns as transparent as he could.
"I suspect you may....have suffered a lasting wound to the head that has altered your perception of reality."

The Paladin was clearly offended.
"More condescion and derision now. Is this how you get what you want?"

Trin was still working to understand.
"Vale...what are you getting at?"

With an unhurried open right hand Valebgestured between himself and the door he had entered from as he spoke.
"When I came in....the Dwarf Ivar....was far from polite......yet you claim he was......you claim you have no Secrets, yet refuse to answer my questions......you Claim Respect must be earned, yet act offended I have not given you the respect you feel due to you."

Trin interjected and was ignored.
"Vale...please control your emotions..."

With his hand still open, Vale gestured between Hudol and himself.
"I suspect there maybe a difference between your preception of events here...and my own....and so I am asking if I may examine your skull for damage."

Hudol addressed Vale's concerns with his own opinions restated.
"Ivar didn't threaten you or insult you. His request was direct, but not rude. I don't answer your questions because you have yet to give a reason why I should care what you want."

Vale really was not expecting this level of resistance to collecting information from a Paladin about a shared enemy such as Demons, and so he repeated his previously stated purpose and asked if it was not enough.
"Was stating I intend to consolidate everyone's indivudal encounters with the Demons and make them available for those willing to combat them as a resource....not motive enough?"

Hudol in his own way made it clear he lacked any desire to share what he knew with Vale.
"I understand why you want the information. But I haven't heard a reason why I should care what you want."

It was then that Trin interjected.
"Hudol.....let me ask you this. Hudol If a demon invasion attacked our guild what would you do?"

The Paladin replied.
"I would take up arms to fight it, of course."

Trin pressed.
"To your last breath?"

Once more the Paladin replied.
"If need be, yes."

Perhaps feeling accomplished Trin turned to Vale.
"That's all you need to know...Vale. Know that our guild stands with you to fight the Demon's or Devils whatever.. take that for all it's worth."

Vale looked to Trin and professed sincerely
"I was not here taking a census of martys......I am trying to learn about the Demons....where are they being found...when....is there a pattern to it? What has been learned....what can be used to learn more and effective means of combating them or preventing their arrival."

Vale then turned his gaze back to Hudol.
" I have made my motives clear.....I have offered to humble myself in the manner of your choosing in exchange for your answers.....I would now ask you be honest and share with me what it is you would like in this exchange."

The Paladin replied.
" How is it that you see that you have humbled yourself? Dismissing Ivar completely. Insulting me by suggesting I must be daft or have head trauma. Please point out this humility of which you speak? "

Vale slowly shook his head.
" I am asking you....what it is you would like me to do to humble myself."

Hudol shared.
"You could start by apologizing for your presumptuous and rude behavior, and then perhaps phrase your questions in the form of a request rather than a surly interrogation."

For someone who claimed respect needed to be earned, Paladin Hudol did seem to be easily offended by not being proffered a sizable amount. Vale did his best to meet the request, and his words rang as hollow as they were.
"I aplogize.....Most Honorable and Respected Paladin of The Lady of Magic, He who has fought Demons, would you be willing to share what you have learned with myself who seeks to learn from your wisdom?"

Trin chuckled in response.
"At least that's better than before eh Hudol? That almost sound like a request."

Hudol though was unmoved with the empty gesture.
"I am sorry, I find your request to be full of contempt and sarcasm."

Vale shrugged as Trin said his farewell.
"Well I'm off remember Vale...you get more with sugar..than vinegar."

Vale slowly raises his hood with a pair of unhurried hands, as Trin continued.
"I'm sure you've heard that phrase"

On his way towards the door, Vale stopped to ask.
"Do you know of anyone else who has encountered the Demons?"

The Paladin replied.
"Yes."

It pained Vale to have to ask a second time what he had already asked clearly, though he endured.
"Anyone who's name you would be willing to share?"

The Paladin obliged.
"Ivar, the dwarf you treated with disdain."

With an offered nod of recgonition and thanks, Vale made his way out the door and into the square. He looked up at the now night sky for along moment and reflected on what had happened.

He failed to learn what was available, and he had only himself to blame for allowing the bulling, extortion, and demeaning to alter his focus from seeking answers, to being distracted by the desire to ruffle feathers in return. He had never imagined the day he would be unwelcomed in the Adventurer's Guild, treated as a potential threat, told to secure his weapons behind Peace Knots, and lectured about expectations of respect.

Vale turned towards the Cart, only to remember he had given his last six coins to Elero. With a reflexive shrug of indifference Vale turned to begin the walk towards the Font to record what little he had learned. He made it halfway across the square before the familer sounds of revelry from the Safe Haven caught his attention.

Perhaps things were circular in nature?
Vale turned himself towards the Safe Haven and stepped inside looking for answers to some questions.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The late evening halls and stairwells of the Pilinth were quiet and Vale Clearwaters wandered them with unhurried and softly taken steps. When he reached the peak he took a seat to look out over the City of Splendors and sighed with resignation. He removed a key from his traveler's bag and sat there holding it in his hands as he closed his eyes.

The key was ornate and fashioned to unlock a lock of complexity unlike any other he had encountered. The two most notable traits of the key though were that the head of the key was engraved and shaped to match that of a brain, and that the cold metallic object was a physical representation of a fear that had dwelled within Vale Clearwaters for sometime. A fear that had festered unattended and unconfronted for sometime.

With his eyes closed and his legs folded beneath him, with the night winds of the Sea of Swords blowing strong at the height of the Pilinth, it was the fear within him that Vale focused upon, and both his mind and body trembled. He had come to this City with a singular purpose, and allowed his fear to indulge the myriad distractions available to stray from his purpose.

There exist beings of an insidious evil that few understood, beings such as the Aboleth. It was because of his understanding of such a being that Vale was both filled with crippling fear, and determined to overcome such. His fingers tightened around the key and his thumbs pressed harder against the engraving of a brain as his thoughts drifted to seasons past.

The Warrior Takashi, the Good Doctor Luther Von Mufflebop, and himself first discovered evidence of the Aboleth's presence in the Lower Sewers and set out almost immediately to investigate and learn more about the threat it represented. The effort was ill fated and ended with the death of Vale's two closest friends and most respected mentors. The loss was more then merely painful, it had been enough to injury Vale. The wound that was inflicted upon his mind encouraged him avoid any further efforts against the Aboleth, the way pain of an injured leg may inspire one to favor the other.

The pain, the hurt is the body's way of warning us that we will only damage ourselves further, and Vale's fear and avoidance was no different. He was ill prepared after the loss of his friends, mentors, and most trusted companions. To have further pressed against the Aboleth would have been folly.

The Adventurer's Guild was still in it's infancy and needed leadership. The threat of Kringus's Yule Tide to the people of the region and the Weave itself could not be ignored. These things and others had become his focus, they became both the responsibilities he worked with determination to see tended to, and the distractions he used to mask his fear of the Aboleth. These were the things he used to justify his avoiding that which he was scared to face.

In the time that passed Vale had suffered a more grievous injury then the loss of his friends, he had lost knowing of himself. His responsibilities and distractions, he had confused them with who he was, and when he was confronted with his own ignorance, the illusions that had given him confidence and certainty were shattered. He ran from the truth and had sought comfort in the arms of a lover and sweet wines. He ran until he was ready to admit he was lost.

Here and now, sitting atop the Pilinth Vale Clearwaters was making an effort to reconstruct who he was, who he could be, who he choose to be. The injuries of the past left scars, but he had endured and in enduring had grown stronger.

He did not Know who he was, but he was choosing who he would be.

He did not have the allies he had, but he had forged new friendships and now had more trusted companions then he ever suspected possible.

Meister Cornelius Tauber, a man harded through the bondage and strife of an early life. A man who could have let such hardships break him and turn him vile as those that were his tormentors. A man who instead used such evils as motivation to make himself a better man. The man Vale trusted to lead the Adventurer's Guild when Vale knew himself to no longer be capable, the man who stood tall against the Demon of Yule Tide, when so many others fell.

Aglorus Starmaarster scholar of Halruaa, the man Vale trusted to provide the Adventurer's Guild guidence and understanding in all matters Arcane. A man who gave his all in the battle against the Demon of Yule Tide to protect the Weave. A man who understands the threat that an Aboleth represents, and will use the Art to see such a threat diminished and destroyed.

Bran Clergy of Lathander, a young man who has time and time again strived to do right no matter the danger or cost to himself. A devout servant of the Morning Lord who spends his every day working to insure a better tomorrow for others. A most competent combat healer, warrior, and alchemist who would bring all of his skill, steel, heart, and faith to bare upon an evil such as an Aboleth.

Laird Briarbrush the Plague Knight of the Warren's, gnome who knows fear and loss on a level most do not, and continues to fight through such in a manner many others could not. A gnome who was once an innocent and helpless victim of the ravages of the Zartruss, and has since through hard work and determination become not only a survivor, but a mentor and hero to others. A gnome that Vale trusts.

Vale opened his eyes and watched as the eastern horizon began to glow with the promise of a new day. The fear of the Aboleth did not subside through the night, but Vale knew it to be what it was now. It was no longer a warning that he would only injure himself further should he persist....no the fear he felt now was a growing pain, and if he did not face it and endure through it, he would not only fail to grow stronger and better come to know himself, but he would be doing a disservice to all those people who's lives the Aboleth used as thralls both knowing and unknowing.

Vale rose to his feet in one slow and smooth motion with unhurried grace. There were preparations to make.

"Preperation is the key to success."
~Doctor Luther Von Mufflebop, Knight of Plagues~
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The night passed slowly and Vale Clearwaters waited unhurried and unmoving. His thoughts were upon the passing of Aglorus Starmaarster. With each deep breath Vale made an effort to steel himself and with each slow and controlled exhale of breath, he made measured effort to let go of his attachment to the fallen.

Aglorus Starmaarster, the Scholar of Halruaa had not only been an ally in arms during their troubled times together, but he had been a friend when Vale had so very few. The pair of them shared their ideas and aspirations, they had come to each other's aid countless times with matters mundane and other worldly, they shared words with each other that they could not share with others, and perhaps most importantly they shared laughter and mirth. They had their differences, but Vale believed that just as there was comfort where the pair overlapped, that there existed strength in their differences. Vale was not one for prayer, he preferred to not to ask the gods for favor, but for Aglorus Starmaarster he prayed.

Mystra, The Lady of Mysteries, The Mother of All Magic, Our Lady of Spells I pray to you Knowing you allow those who practice the Art to make of your Weave that which they will, and I ask that if there is comfort you may wrap Aglorus Starmaarster in during the trials and tribulations before him....that you please do so that he may find through your grace the strength he may need to endure long enough to escape his bondage.

Azuth, High One, Patron of Wizards, Patron of Mages, Lord of Spells, Hand of Sorcery, Lord of Spellcraft, The First Magister, I pray to you asking that you inspire in Aglorus Starmaaster the means and methods of devising an escape from what Necromancy may prevent him from moving on.

Vale took another deep breath, and slowly exhaled, and there would be many more such breaths taken before he could perceive his friend's passing as anything other then untimely, cruel, wasteful, unfair, and an injustice. Vale exhaled as he rose to his feet at the sound of Sarenna back handing Kal's shoulder as the pair of them approached.

Sarenna offered a greeting and Kal insisted he had pointed out Vale's presence first.

Vale slowly approached the two of them and eased back his hood with a pair of scarred and steady hands. He explained to them his intentions to hunt and slay the Aboleth that had made it's lair within the lower sewers of the city, and then he asked for their help. They agreed without hesitation, asking only what should be expected so they may do their best to prepare.

In time Vale finished sharing the hazards, obstacles, and dangers they would need to overcome, and Laird Briarbrush arrived with an apology for having over slept. It was then the conversation turned to the matter at hand, the Cult of the Dragon who had continued to be a presence and a plague upon the Trade Way. Despite previous disputes and numerous differences, the four of them knew each other well and it was not long before means and methods were decided and agreed upon, and together they set out.

Together the four set out.
Together three returned carrying the fourth.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
User avatar
ayergo
Penguin AKA Vile Sea Tiger
Posts: 3503
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2004 8:50 pm
Location: Germany (But frequent world travels)

Re: Honing the Form

Post by ayergo »

Cliffhanger.
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
Peter_Abelard
Gelatinous Cube
Posts: 335
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:42 am

Re: Honing the Form

Post by Peter_Abelard »

You’re telling me!!
Character arcs are sharp, pointy little things. A little blood may spill!

Now Playing: Luva Si'nede, Olivus Angustian
Past Characters: Valyar Floshin, Sarenna Irithyl, Millicent Riverstone, Dev Revels, Catarina Helms, Fenris Estelmer, Arryn Temple, Penrose Hawke, Kara Ravensfell, Arana Belecthor
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The door swung open revealing the dark chamber and putrid waters, and Vale Clearwaters dove into them. The magics that allowed him to breath water, did nothing to remove the the thick filthy mucus and other impurities that had gathered within this drainage cistern of the lowest sewers after uncounted years. Each breath was taken was it's own trial of endurance as the dark waters were taken into his body and filled him with the excrement and waste of this world and others. Vale Clearwaters raised a hand up and out of the filth to signal his companions to await him upon the relatively dry dry stone tiles of the precipice of the murky depths.

As Vale swam through the thick waters, he knew he was not alone. In these depths existed an entity that which broke the minds of men and twisted them to it's own otherworldly desires. Vale could only just make out the light of Bran of Lathander on what had now become a distant shore, when the door that separated him from his companions swung shut and the ancient locking mechanize of weathered and worn rusted metals dragged themselves across each other with an otherworldly force creating a squeak that sounded like a demon's scream.Distance and direction existed only as a memory. Treading water, Vale could hear his companions banging hard upon the sealed door while the the waters before him erupted with the flailing limbs of a dozens of Thralls and the Aboleth itself.

It was coming for him.

Cornelius Tauber's hammer blows and bellowing voice were all that Vale had to orientate himself. He worked is arms and legs through the dark waters in time with the resounding hammer's relentless rhythm. Drawing upon the power of the belt he wore upon his waist, Vale moved through space, hurtling himself between where he was and beyound where he believed the door to be. With a splash of muck and filth, Vale rolled out the dimensional door and landed behind his companions within the relative safety of the well lit stone tunnel in which they stood ready. Covered in hundreds of years of wet grime and slime, Vale arose with as much grace and dignity one could in such conditions.

Reunited and without a need for more then a silent exchange, those that had come to slay the Aboleth steeled themselves as Vale worked to see the lock tricked opened. Together Cornelius Tauber and Vale Clearwaters pushed the battered door open, and the Thralls of the Aboleth crawled up and out of the filth with a single minded purpose to see those that intruded upon them taken.

Stepping back from the edge of the water, Vale and Cornelius moved with unison to separate sides of the tunnel creating a space between them large enough for the gnome Laird Briarbrush to take advantage of. The former Knight of Plagues and the enemy of the Zartuss Hobgoblins did not hesitate. The sound of Laird's arrows in flight, cutting clean through the air were the closest thing to pure any of them had experienced since entering the lower sewers. One after another the arrows found their marks, biting deep into the flesh of the Thralls to who continued to advance up and out of the water without any regard to their pain or fear of death.

As the Thralls gained their footing they replied with swift violence, driven forward with an otherworldly purpose. Together men formerly of the City Guard fought side by side by men once devout to Cult of the Dragon, and Ogres. All of them together now nothing more then the deadly marionettes used no differently then an archer made use of arrows from a quiver.

Cornelius's Shield gleamed bright in the light of Bran's Lathander as it was raised to ward off one attack after another, as the strength of the warrior wielded his hammer with bone shattering authority.

Vale's open hands and deft limbs moved with grace to see the Thrall's efforts rebuked.

Arrows and Bolts flew fast and unerring between the pair that created the front ranks. Keryn Tel'jora never stopping to reload her crossbow as it magically prepared itself and made ready with a fresh bolt. Laird Briarbrush's arms and fingers moving to load and draw his bowstring with the speed and accuracy his lifetime of adventure and facing danger had honed into near perfection.

Bran of Lathander stood as tall as high noon, ready to see to the wounds of his companions, casting a brilliant light across the dank darkness of the Aboleth's sanctum.

As the last of the Thralls, a sizable Ogre, fell back into the filthy waters creating the sicking sound of flesh slapping hard against the mucus pools surface. The spittle and filth that flew up from the splash did not deter Vale Clearwaters as he waved for his companions to follow, before diving headlong into the depths once more.

The Aboleth surfaced and unleashed a wave of psionic energy that washed over Vale as his lithe frame cut through the water to strike.

Beside the Aboleth the water erupted into rolling waves of filth and steam, as a Fire Giant emerged from the spaces between planes of existence at the Wizard Keryn Tel'jora's command.

Laird Briarbrush's arrows made a suckling slurping noise as they burrowed through the layers of mucus and membrane that were the Aboleth.

Cornelius Tauber leaped forward as his muscled frame encased in armor crashed into the depths, his hammer came crashing down upon it's mark with all the momentum his physical prowess.

Through Bran's unwavering focus and devotion to Lathander, the prayers of warding that shielded the minds and hearts of his companions held against the countless psionic assaults unleashed by the Aboleth's fury.

The fighting was chaos as the water displacement created by the Fire Giant's Sword Swings and the Aboleth's thrashings sent waves rolling across the chamber tossing those of smaller frames about like bits of cork wood upon the surface of a stormy sea.

Vale propelled himself off a nearby wall with all the strength his legs could summon. He launching himself at the Aboleth and drove his fist through it's third eye, burying his arm up to the elbow in wet warmth that provided no comfort. As the flailing tentacles of the psionic tyrant fell limp with a wet plop, and the large corpse began to sink to the bottom of the cistern's murky depths. Vale's entrapped arm took him along for the voyage.

Upon the surface the water breathing magics that Cornelius and Laird had relied upon began to fail. The filthy flooding their lungs began to drown them and drag them down to their deaths. Only through the swiftly taken actions of Bran of Lathander and Keryn Tel'jora did the steel clad warrior and fearless gnome survive.

Deep below Vale worked to free his fist from the Aboelth's eye socket, using his knees pressed against it's skull as a means of providing his body something to push against. His arm popped free of the mucus and membrane that had held it in place, he took in a deep controlled watery breath of vile filth and slowly exhaled with a shudder.

It had been done.

Image
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The Incense had been advertised as providing increased mental acumen and clarity, and Vale knew it was an indulgence. It was the least of his indulgences this evening.

Vale raised the bowl of tea to his lips and drank steady until the bowl was empty. The mixture of Ginko Leaves, Fox's Cunning and Owl's Wisdom was a heady brew that left his mind reeling.

Kneeling before the Altar of Oghma, Vale cradled the bronze sphere the size of a small cantaloupe in his hands and closed his eyes.

The desire to vomit was actively suppressed, and in time his breathing became regular and the painful aches of kneeling upon the stone work began to fade.

After the incense burnt out, all he was left with was the smell of rotten custard and the feel of the smooth bronze sphere cradled in his hands.

The odor was overwhelming.

"The flesh knows when it suffers, even when the mind does not."

There exist few stronger connections then that of smell and the memories we tie to them.

Vale wanted to remember.

Image
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
User avatar
ayergo
Penguin AKA Vile Sea Tiger
Posts: 3503
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2004 8:50 pm
Location: Germany (But frequent world travels)

Re: Honing the Form

Post by ayergo »

jmecha wrote:
Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:42 pm

Vale wanted to remember.

Funny, that was your first wish.
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The Orb grew heavy in his hands, and Vale lowered his arms.

His muscles screamed as he rose to his feet with unhurried grace and grimace.

With stiff fingers and a small sigh, Vale packed the foul smelling orb away in his traveler's bag.

Slowly he shook his head side to side while a small smile grew beneath his tired eyes.

Holding the orb aloft for several hours while upon his knees had left him with no more insights then he had previously held, and he could not help but see the humor in his having made such a futile gesture.

With a deep breath and a measured exhale he made his way up and out from the depths of the Font of Knowledge and onto the streets of Waterdeep to where he was to meet the others at the southern gate.

Kal was the first to arrive, prepared and ready to lend a single hand against the Yuan-Ti who had invaded the marshes along the coast.

Laird Briarbrush was next to arrive, and with him came racing eyes and the pale sweaty skin of a man taken by a fever. The Gnome spoke of having carved for himself pieces of the Aboleth Flesh for tasting, and taste it he had. Within the Flesh exited memories no Gnome was meant to digest, and it left the former Plague Knight babbling.

He spoke of promises exchanged between Vale and the Aboleth at the beginning of Time.

He spoke of Vale leaving the Orb with the Aboleth for Safe Keeping.

He spoke of Vale breaking his promises by reclaiming the Orb.

He spoke of the impossibility of it all, and Vale listened.

Image
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The implications swirled through his thoughts at a madding pace, and Vale's body slowly worked to put distance between himself and the Monastery of the Sun Soul. His steps were taken as if he was walking through air thick as tar. The people and distractions of the city around him were worlds away as he staggered along, swimming through the maelstrom of his own mind. Slowly and almost reflexively he studied his hands before him as he slowly opened and closed them, as if the effort of forcing blood to flow through them would somehow ground him in reality, as if somehow reconfirming his physical existence and form might help him find some solid footing from which he may then begin to sort through the thoughts that had him overwhelmed.

As he neared the doors of the Font he shook his head weakly and instead turned to climb the nearby hill where he took a seat beneath a tree. He needed air. He needed to breath clean open air and feel the wind upon his flesh. He needed to get a hold of himself and his place in things. It was all so very unbelievable, perhaps because it was so fantastical, but even more so because it was most undesirable. He slowly shook his head.

He remembered though.
No matter the rest.
He remembered, and he Knew it to be true.

Slowly Vale folded his legs beneath himself and with great effort he closed his eyes and focused upon his breathing. His thoughts were wild and running in directions of their own choosing. He felt like a lone fishermen upon standing in a canoe struggling to pull an entire net of thousands of fish out of the sea.

He had no foot upon which he could stand firm.
He had not the strength required.
He was struggling against himself as his thoughts desired only to escape.

Then the world went blinding white and his ears began to scream, and his skin crawled as if magic it's self desired to escape his flesh.
The lighting struck beside where he sat, and before Vale could get to his feet, the thunder of the Chaos Monk's blows were raining down upon him.

He could not position his arms fast enough to ward the attacks away, nor could he get to his feet fast enough. Vale danced like a straw filled practice dummy, his body contorting and jerking in the directions that the Chaos Monk's continuous blows sent him reeling. He winced with pain as a rib cracked and his right hand fumbled for the belt of shadows he wore about his waist.

The belt was was once Korsan Blackmane's, and no doubt it helped the founder of Adventurer's Guild escape death many times. All but the last time.

With his left hand raised to ward a blow from his face, and his right gripping the Belt of Shadows, Vale called upon the magic within to open a dimensional door so he may escape the brutality he was enduring. He desired space enough between them to regain his footing, to catch his breath, and put himself to the offense.

He could feel the Belt's lack of response to his demand, and he felt the ball of the Chaos Monk's foot catch him square in the solar plexus.
It was as if Vale had been kicked from his own body, and he was merely a witness to the pain it suffered.
He felt weightless and weak as he wobbled on his legs and his arms dropped limp at his sides.
The will to fight remained, yet his body refused to respond.

With a drunkards lurch the Chaos Monk planted a fist and then an elbow into Vale's abdomen in rapid succession, then reeled backwards and away.
Vanishing as quickly as he had arrived.

With his face bleeding and his broken bones screaming in pain, Vale closed his eyes and lowered his head.

He did not need to place a hand to where the Unbroken Circle Stones of Zerthimon had been, to know they were gone.

The coughing was involuntary, and followed by a mouthful of blood coming up and out of him to wet the grass beneath the tree.

With a pained expression and slow and stiff steps, Vale made his way down the hill and towards the Font.

The Chaos Monk knew when and where to find him vulnerable and ill prepared.
The Chaos Monk could have laid him low, yet he only took the stones.

There was much and more to ponder and explore.
There were motivations beyond his understanding.
There was much and more he did not Know.

First though he would seek cold stones and aloe.

Image
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
jmecha
Illithid
Posts: 1699
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:22 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Honing the Form

Post by jmecha »

The challenge before him loomed larger then the Demon Kringus of Yule Tide, and Vale studied it with a near unblinking gaze. The tomes within the Font of Knowledge appeared to be beyond counting, they appeared infinite and unending. Vale though Knew they were finite and with time, disipline, and focus he could accomplish what he intended to do.

The Font of Knowledge was Oghma's Temple.
The Font of Knowledge collected and secured Knowings so that such would not be lost to time and the frailty of memory.


If He Knew He would forget.
If He Knew his path would lead to the Sword Mountains.

The Font of Knowledge was a reasonable place to secure Knowings to precious to lose.

Now to find where it was.
Current Characters: Aelenta Renvanith
Post Reply