The Soul-Stealer
(July 26 2012, evening)
who 7 players. Hum [ Bard: 19 19 17 ] Samiyah bint Rasul Hum [ Ra:30 Tg:30 Ma:30 ] Troy so fresh Gno [ Cl:27 ] Whisk: Beater and stirrer. <Utensil Army of Doom> Gno [ Sh:30 ] Tirpitz got Lost and went to hell in a handbasket Hum [ Demigoddess ] DarkClaw: Lost Cause, Newbie Helper -= Belgarion =- Elf [ Greater Goddess ] Natilena. Hum [ Wa: 3 Ma: 9 ] Merlin the Boy
DarkClaw gossips, 'Good evening, bardette!'.
You gossip (in common), 'Good evening, Sayyida!'.
DarkClaw gossips, 'How is your night faring?'.
You gossip (in common), 'Glad to be able to be among friends and relax. :)'.
DarkClaw gossips, '*nod* There is a song I would like to commission you for.'.
You tell DarkClaw (in common), '(apologies, got pulled away)'.
DarkClaw tells you, '(No rush at all)'.
You gossip (in common), 'I am yours to command, Sayyida.'.
DarkClaw tells you, 'The Fallen One has been going around stealing souls as of late.'.
You tell DarkClaw (in common), '... fallen one?'.
DarkClaw tells you, 'Seraph'.
You tell DarkClaw (in common), '*gasp* I have seen him!'.
You tell DarkClaw (in common), 'He steals souls?!'.
DarkClaw tells you, '*paces the floor, looking deeply troubled* He's given me three days to come up with three souls for him as well...in order to keep him from taking Belgarion's.'.
Temple of the Lost
[Exits: west]
Silence...almost deafening in this temple, the darkness all consuming within
the seemingly hollow room. Suddenly, as if triggered by those present, a soft
purple glow spreads from the center of the shrine. As eyes adjust to the
change, the source of the dim lighting is revealed as a glass-shaped eye that
hovers in mid-air above the smooth, marble floor. Smooth all except for a
large, charred, square patch of dirt in front of each of the four walls...odd.
Above, the ceiling is open showing more of the same darkness, not a single
star twinkling among the Heavens. The Eastern wall is completely covered by a
massive shelving unit holding books and old, faded scrolls, making one wonder
as to the history of this place and the Immortal that it belongs to. What
mysteries lie within those readings? A large mural hangs from the Southern
wall, the color so vibrant that it makes the emptiness of the room seem barren
and tragic. The strong feel of magic is noticeable in this temple, but its
threads are chaotic...confused and constantly shifting. Symbolic of the
Immortal that resides here? Perhaps.
A large eye hovers in mid-air here, emitting a soft, purple glow.
(Intense Dark Purple Aura) DarkClaw is here.
DarkClaw tells you, 'He has stolen two so far that I know of...Mutex's and Rosemark's.'.
Samiyah lays a hand across her chest, modestly lowers her eyes, and curtseys.
DarkClaw smiles at you.
You say (in common), 'so forgive me..'.
You say (in common), 'I may have missed some information..'.
You say (in common), 'The Fallen Angel is stealing the souls'.
You say (in common), 'of the living? or those who fall in battle?'.
DarkClaw nods.
DarkClaw says, 'Of the living.'.
DarkClaw sighs loudly.
You shudder from the sheer thought of it.
DarkClaw says, 'He...because of the elements not responding to me, he is stronger than I am right now.'.
DarkClaw says, 'I fear there's no way to keep him from taking Belgarion's.'.
You say (in common), 'and an ultimatum given : three souls offered, else he takes Belgarion's..'.
DarkClaw says, 'Unless I can find some way to bind ours together...maybe.'.
DarkClaw nods in recognition to you.
You say (in common), 'and he has two already of the three?'.
You say (in common), 'or no?'.
DarkClaw sighs and shakes her head.
DarkClaw says, 'Mutex's was already taken when he threatened me.'.
DarkClaw says, 'Rosemark's was given as one of the three...her choice.'.
You say (in common), 'so two remain'.
DarkClaw says, 'Yes, but I don't want it to come to that.'.
DarkClaw says, 'I just don't know how to prevent it.'.
Samiyah wrinkles her brow in thought.
DarkClaw says, 'I'm...not sure if the Weaver's powers include binding souls.'.
You say (in common), 'I do not know enough of the Triat Lore to know that answer'.
DarkClaw sighs loudly.
DarkClaw nods.
You say (in common), 'Perhaps Katrana or the Lady herself could tell you?'.
DarkClaw says, 'Me neither.'.
DarkClaw says, 'I'm hoping to ask one of them.'.
DarkClaw says, 'But...regardless...I felt it might make a good song.'.
DarkClaw says, 'And perhaps give warning to some.'.
You say (in common), 'Hm.'.
You say (in common), 'I do not know .. well.. anything.. about the Fallen One'.
You say (in common), 'can you tell me about him? what he was like?'.
You say (in common), 'why is he focused on you?'.
DarkClaw says, 'I...don't know the answer to that.'.
DarkClaw says, 'Nor do I know much about the Dark One.'.
You say (in common), 'Who is the Dark One?'.
DarkClaw says, 'That is another name for Seraph.'.
You say (in common), 'Oh.'.
DarkClaw says, 'He was so full of hate last night.'.
You say (in common), 'Was he once very good?'.
DarkClaw says, 'He was once immortal...leader of the Vir.'.
DarkClaw says, 'He was and still is evil.'.
You say (in common), 'and were they good, or evil, or Neutral?'.
Samiyah nods, the movement causing her veil-charms to chime.
You say (in common), 'Hm.'.
You say (in common), 'So has he always had the ability to steal souls?'.
You say (in common), 'and what does he do with them?'.
DarkClaw says, 'He is...hoping to use them to ascend the immortal ranks once again.'.
DarkClaw says, '(A quest he's working on)'.
You say (in common), 'Oh dear.'.
Samiyah wrinkles her brow in thought.
You say (in common), 'must the soul be offered up voluntarily?'.
DarkClaw says, 'As far as I know, he has always had the power to steal souls.'.
You say (in common), 'for example, if someone was to slay someone against their will..'.
You say (in common), 'does he need to be present to collect it?'.
You say (in common), 'can it be... '.
Samiyah's voice drops low, the horror clear: "collected? and retained?"
DarkClaw says, 'I believe he does need to be present.'.
DarkClaw says, 'So far he has been present to...collect.'.
DarkClaw says, 'He's been toying with them.'.
DarkClaw says, 'He comes to them when he can't be seen...and has them gamble their souls on a question.'.
You say (in common), 'so..'.
You say (in common), 'this soul collecting isn't anything YOU are to do?'.
You say (in common), 'he is doing it all?'.
Samiyah looks entirely confused.
DarkClaw growls in frustration and runs a hand through her raven locks.
DarkClaw says, 'He merely told me I was to find three souls in exchange for him not taking Belgarion's.'.
DarkClaw says, 'He didn't give time for questions.'.
Samiyah takes a slow, sliding step backwards towards the door at the growl.
DarkClaw says, 'I'm sorry. I'm just so worried.'.
Samiyah nods, worrying at her lower lip with her teeth.
DarkClaw says, 'Last night he...picked me up and hurled me against the wall. I'm too weak.'.
You blink.
Samiyah says slowly, thoughtfully, 'Well, since you do not have your Elements, but you DO have your people around you...'
You say (in common), 'Perhaps you can draw on their strength to be yours...'.
You say (in common), 'Is not the fifth element that of spirit? '.
DarkClaw blinks and looks up quickly.
DarkClaw says, 'It is...'.
You say (in common), 'and do you not have your spirit, still, and that of your people and your love?'.
DarkClaw nods firmly, staring across the temple in thought.
DarkClaw says, 'Perhaps it may work...if I can get enough of them here at once.'.
Samiyah nods, the movement causing her veil-charms to chime.
You say (in common), 'Their spirit to augment yours!'.
DarkClaw says, 'He may keep trying, though.'.
DarkClaw says, 'Hmm'.
You say (in common), 'Maybe some ritual to bind the spirits of your people to you, and you to them?'.
You say (in common), 'so that it is all of you, together, and not just one?'.
DarkClaw nods in recognition to you.
DarkClaw says, 'That would alleviate having to worry about any of the others as well.'.
Samiyah nods, the movement causing her veil-charms to chime.
DarkClaw says, 'Thank you, Sami. I should have thought of that. I was just so panicked.'.
You say (in common), 'Sand-cats hunt goats. If you keep the herd together, tightly packed, they are all safe: one cannot be culled out.'.
You say (in common), 'If one is alone... it is dinner.'.
DarkClaw nods in recognition to you.
DarkClaw says, 'Well said.'.
You say (in common), 'Be the shepherd: keep your herd close - for just as you protect them, they protect you.'.
You smile happily.
DarkClaw says, 'Indeed.'.
You say (in common), 'I will think on this thing more.'.
You say (in common), 'And I will be wary of this creature that steals souls.'.
You say (in common), 'Mine is pledged to the gods of my people'.
You say (in common), 'and not the gods-who-walk..'.
You say (in common), 'so I do not know if that makes me more or less vulnerable to his sorcery'.
DarkClaw says, 'Neither do I.'.
DarkClaw sits down and thinks deeply.
DarkClaw says, 'But...at least you have SOME protection.'.
DarkClaw says, 'There are others that don't have faith at all.'.
You say (in common), 'I have sacred incense, and I know the bind of the four knots..'.
You say (in common), 'I know to never let my shadow be trapped in a doorway...'.
You say (in common), 'and to throw salt at a spirit's passing'.
You smile happily.
DarkClaw smiles happily.
DarkClaw says, 'I had never heard of that.'.
You say (in common), 'it binds them to earth'.
You say (in common), 'so they do not wander eternal'.
DarkClaw says, 'Interesting.'.
You say (in common), 'and you should never stop in a doorway, or it can be closed upon your shadow'.
You say (in common), 'and a part of you is trapped'.
DarkClaw says, 'That makes sense actually.'.
DarkClaw laughs.
You say (in common), 'the bind of the four knots is a good luck charm we learned as girls'.
Samiyah glances around, instinctively, then carefully unwinds a fold of her veil, revealing her face and braids.
DarkClaw says, 'I know he has a weakness. Every being does.'.
Samiyah unplaits one of her many braids, the chimes within them sounding brightly.'
Samiyah carefully seperates out four strands of hair - each long and dark.
DarkClaw watches you curiously, shifting her weight to lean against the eye.
Samiyah slides her veil back into place, her hair still unbound.
Samiyah searches amongst her pouches for two small, smooth bits of wood.
Samiyah holds them up, and lays them, one against the other, forming an X.
Samiyah begins winding the hair around the sticks, over one, under the next, binding them tightly together.
Samiyah ties an intricate knot with the four strands on each of the sections of sticks - four in all.
Samiyah holds up the tiny charm.
You say (in common), 'desert palm, that has fallen of its own accord..'.
You say (in common), 'and the knots, to catch and trap any evil intent.'.
You say (in common), 'girls of my tribe make them and hang them in their hair or above their beds.'.
DarkClaw smiles, reaching up to take the charm, but drops her hand quickly before touching it.
DarkClaw says, 'You should carry that with you always...at least for now.'.
Samiyah says gravely, 'My own charm would do you no good... but if you made your own, with your own intent..'
DarkClaw shakes her head.
DarkClaw says, 'I was just going to examine it closer, but didn't want to ruin it by touching it.'.
Samiyah lays it on her palm, carefully extended outward.
DarkClaw lowers her head and leans in, studying the charm closely. "It's fascinating that something so simple could ward off unwanted things or beings."
Samiyah blushes slightly, murmuring, 'It is what is said, Sayyida... I do not know if it works - for if it did, one would not know if the ill intent.'
DarkClaw straightens and nods once. "True. But it certainly can't hurt."
Samiyah nods, the movement causing her veil-charms to chime.
Samiyah draws her hand back, then unloops her veil once more.
Samiyah quickly braids the charm into one of her many locks, the movement of her fingers causing the chimes to sound.
DarkClaw chuckles softly. "Do you ever get tired of hearing those?"
Samiyah winds her veil back into place, and smiles. 'No. Never. They were made by my mother. I pretend that they speak with her voice.'
DarkClaw blinks, her features hardening visually, and pushes away from the altar. "I cannot relate to that."
Samiyah nods in silence, curtseying in instinctive fearful and servile response to your ire.
DarkClaw looks back to you and offers a stiff smile. "It is obvious that your mother loved you."
Samiyah nods slightly, one hand creeping up to still the chimes before they sound.
DarkClaw says, 'You don't have to silence them. I like the sound. I just thought you might get tired of them at times.'.
DarkClaw says, 'And forgive my irritability. I have not seen my mother since I was a child.'.
You say (in common), 'Forgive me for awakening painful thoughts, Sayyida.'.
DarkClaw says, 'No forgiveness needed. You did not know.'.
DarkClaw smiles at you.
DarkClaw says, 'I've found out more information already on the Fallen one.'.
You say (in common), 'While I have been here chattering like a lark?'.
DarkClaw grins evilly.
DarkClaw says, 'Yes. Immortals have to be good at multitasking.'.
DarkClaw winks suggestively at you.
You say (in common), 'oooohhhhh...'.
Samiyah wrinkles her brow in thought.
DarkClaw says, 'What is it?'.
You say (in common), 'I consider myself to be doing well if I manage to walk in a straight line while speaking.'.
DarkClaw laughs.
You say (in common), 'much less learn arcane secrets '.
DarkClaw says, 'Perhaps you shouldn't partake in drinking, then.'.
You shake your head.
You say (in common), 'such things are halal.'.
You say (in common), 'forbidden.'.
DarkClaw nods.
DarkClaw says, 'The Dark One is blind...his eyes being burned out as a child.'.
Samiyah wrinkles her brow in thought.
DarkClaw says, 'A necromancer took him in and taught him how to steal souls...only to kill him in the end...'.
You say (in common), 'Perhaps, if he had eyes to see his own cruelty.. he would not need to see through the souls of others'.
DarkClaw says, 'Which caused him to ascend to where the Gods were and become an angel.'.
DarkClaw says, 'Perhaps...maybe he's just angry at being tossed from the Heavens.'.
DarkClaw says, 'They relieved him of his angelic duty for possessing too much hatred.'.
You say (in common), 'Hmm.'.
You say (in common), 'Maybe he needs a pet goat. They teach kindness and responsibility and are like a friend. He sounds like he has none of those things.'.
Samiyah nods, the movement causing her veil-charms to chime.
DarkClaw smirks.
DarkClaw says, 'I don't think he would even be able to grasp the meaning of friendship.'.
You say (in common), '... has anyone ever tried?'.
DarkClaw sits down and thinks deeply.
DarkClaw says, 'I don't know.'.
DarkClaw blinks.
You say (in common), 'The emptiest heart is the most bitter.'.
You say (in common), 'It yearns to be filled, yet cannot... '.
You say (in common), 'from that loneliness comes anger.'.
DarkClaw says, 'Perhaps my followers and I will attempt that as well.'.
DarkClaw says, 'I can imagine it will be like cornering a wild animal.'.
You say (in common), 'There are goats on Jerald's Isle..'.
You say (in common), 'and eyes, within the tower of the mages, I think..'.
You say (in common), 'though one is a bit less creepy than the other'.
You shiver.
DarkClaw chuckles, evidently amused.
DarkClaw says, 'At least I have a possible solution now, thanks to you.'.
You smile happily.
Samiyah lays a hand across her chest, modestly lowers her eyes, and curtseys.
DarkClaw says, 'Thank you for your visit, Sami. I need to think all of this through.'.
You smile happily.
You say (in common), 'with your permission to depart?'.
DarkClaw says, 'Of course.'.
You smile happily.
You wave.
> west
The Pit
[Exits: east up]
This is the room of last resort. If you are weaponless, armorless,
or in need of something you can't afford, this is where you go to
depend on the generosity of others. Veteran adventurers often come
here to unload equipment they can't use, can't sell, or just want to
donate to the less fortunate. Be warned, less scrupulous individuals
have been known to dump cursed equipment here, merely for the pleasure
of seeing the poor suffer. Less than vigilant janitors have left grim
evidence that a choice piece of equipment is occasionally wanted by
more than one person.
A grand staircase leads to the temples above.
A pit for donations dominates the room.
> l in pit
You get a golden rose from the donation pit.
Temple of the Lost
[Exits: west]
A large eye hovers in mid-air here, emitting a soft, purple glow.
(Intense Dark Purple Aura) DarkClaw is here.
You give a golden rose to DarkClaw.
You say (in common), 'to brighten your day.'.
Samiyah lays a hand across her chest, modestly lowers her eyes, and curtseys.
> west
DarkClaw smiles at you.
DarkClaw says, 'Thank you.'.