A Guild Attacked

Faerah

I may post a few more logs eventually, but I did want to thank whatever Celani worked on these events. They were a lot of fun and certainly made me feel engaged with the game for the first time in a while.

Onto this log.... A group of Syssin were chilling at the Inner Gates of Spinesreach (as we tend to do) and suddenly the following happened:

PRESENT: ...A lot of Syssin.
LOCATION: Mostly the Guildhall

An abrasive ringing sounds in your ears, deafening in its pitch and causing a momentary lapse in your vision.

Eugenides puts his hands on his hips and goes, "Hmmm!"

Eugenides Cardinalis says, "Am I the only one who heard that?"

Faerah holds her head, wincing. "Did anyone else hear that?" she asks.

Eugenides Cardinalis says, "I'll take that as a no."

Rubbing at her temples, Faerah says, "...What in the world..."

Hand on his face, Ingram wobbles faintly before sharply shaking his head and lifting it.

Noelle says, "... I heard it."

Ingram M. Tenor says, "Well, so much for having a pleasant daydream."

The colors of the world begin to fade away, leaving everything in bland shades of black and white.

Noelle blinks, squinting as she reaches to rub at her eyes.

"Ah shit," Ingram mutters, running his hand back through his hair as he squares his stance, glancing around.

Eugenides rubs his eyes, disoriented.

"What the..." Faerah mutters to herself, looking between Eugenides, Ingram and Noelle.

(Spinesreach): Faerah says, "Has anyone heard or seen anything odd?"

(Spinesreach): Angroth says, "A peculiar noise, aye."

(Syssin): Angroth says, "Though I thought it might've come from this forest, or the damned monk."

(Syssin): Angroth says, "Deafening, it was."

Eugenides shakes his head.

(Syssin): Faerah says, "I wonder if it was only the Syssin."

Eugenides Cardinalis signs: That's only Syssin who have felt it so far.

Noelle signs: That we know of.

Eugenides nods his head emphatically.

Ingram M. Tenor says, "Well, maybe it's passed."

You tell Inquisitor Victus, "Are you attentive yet?"

Gravely, Eugenides Cardinalis says to Ingram M. Tenor, "Does it ever?"

(Syssin): Angroth says, "No buzz about the Great Oak. I'd presume a bit o' ruckus if they had heard it. Beasts like to swarm in one direction, after all."

(Syssin): Eugenides says, "Where were you when you heard it?"

(Syssin): Angroth says, "Doin' a bit of recon in tha market district of Duiran, Inquisitor."

Ingram M. Tenor signs: Just us then.

A slight tugging sensation pulls at your innards as shadowy tendrils begin to form around you, threatening to envelop you in a crushing embrace.

Eugenides shakes his head.

Eugenides Cardinalis signs: This is not good.

You form a ball of light in your palm and hurl it southeastwards.
A magical lightwall springs up over the southeast exit.

Ingram suddenly jumps back, arms shooting out in unaimed blows as he starts snapping out, "Fuck-fuck-fuck."

(Syssin): Angroth says, "Uhh... mates?"

(Syssin): Faerah says, "All Syssin report to the Guildhall, immediately."

Eugenides Cardinalis signs: We need to form up. Get to the guildhall.

(Syssin): Eugenides says, "Come home now."

(Syssin): Angroth says, "Aye, aye."

-- Ishin awakens. Everyone moves to the Austere Archives in the Guildhall --

The Austere Archives.
A wooden chest is here, carved to mimic the Spires of Spinesreach. Hardened by age, Lemaen takes in his surroundings. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. A small sign indicates that LIBRARY CATALOG will list the materials in this library. Lemaen, the Exiled is a tutor you can learn your skills from, view HELP LEARNING for more information.

You say to Lemaen, the Exiled, "Lemaen, have you been experiencing anything... Odd?"

Eugenides Cardinalis signs: I've asked Nicai to join us as well.

Ingram jerks his tie loose, dragging it off with a tongue whipping through his collar. He tosses it aside before his vest follows, leaving only the shirt on, his hands rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.

Lemaen, the Exiled tells you, "These damned tendrils? Aye, what in the name of Severn are they?"

You tell Lemaen, the Exiled, "We believe they have something to do with the Shadowbound. There was a man, named Victus, who was supposed to train the Guild in how to fight this foe... We have been unable to contact him. Do you have any idea where he might be?"

Faerah's gaze settles on Lemaen, the Exiled, her gaze flickering with concern.

The tendrils seem unbothered by attempts at dissuading them, instead continuing to close about your body. In the back of your mind you begin to hear a deep rumbling, laughter as it becomes clearer, that only gets louder with each passing second.

Ishin grimaces faintly, reaching up to rub a hand over his face. "What the Pit," he mutters.

Lemaen, the Exiled shakes his head at you.

"Get out and leave the rest of them alone, you foul creature!" Faerah cries out, glancing about herself as her tone fades into a low growl.

Ingram clasps both hands over his temples, eyes shut, face tight as he tries to concentrate amidst a flood of adrenaline.

Eugenides walks to the bookshelves. Resting against them he bows his head and prays silently.

You start to wield the Bow of the Champion in your hands. [For random reference: That bow belongs to Severn.]

You have emoted: "You want one of us to talk through?!" Faerah asks, her voice aimed at the ceiling. "Like you talked through Sophastra?"

Eugenides snaps his head up.

Noelle gives a deep, rumbling growl, deep within her chest, muscles tense as she watches the others, snout pinching slightly.

Eugenides begins to vibrate in a highly unnatural way.

A short burst of azure light surrounds Eugenides, and then he is gone.

<<Syssin>>: Eugenides says, "Noelle, just me phased."

<<Syssin>>: Noelle says, "Alright, making sure."

You ask Lemaen, the Exiled, "Did Lord Severn tell you anything before He left? Anything at all?"

A sound like dried leaves crackling pierces the laughter as it begins to die away, it is several moments before it even registers as words. "Foolish Mortal. I need not use such base means." The voice is barely discernible through all the noise in your mind. "I seeeeeeeeeeee you. I knooooooooooow you. I hunger."

Angroth sneers arrogantly.

Grunting and rubbing at the bridge of his nose, Lemaen, the Exiled says, "No. He did not, General."

"You do a lot of showboating and theatrics for something so powerful, so in control," Ingram replies through closed teeth, jaw tight, eyes still closed.

"And you wish to eat us alive, you've made that much clear." Faerah growls in response, shaking her head before she peers up at the ceiling aimlessly once more. "Tell me about the 'young days'... Tell me about your Mother."

--Braziered Maglarion--

Faerah makes a hushing motion in Maglarion's direction.

"Tell me about the Shadow Mother, about her plans to end existence... To bring us back to the young days." Faerah says, her voice raised as her gaze glances about as if trying to spot something particular.

Faerah clutches the Bow of the Champion in her grasp, peering about the room intently. "Anything in phase space, Eugenides?" she asks.

<<Syssin>>: Eugenides says, "All clear as I can see."

"Pitiful creatures. You think yourself safe because HE tells you so. How wrong you are. With but the slightest effort..." The grating noise dulls for a moment, the voice fading with it.

"I never think I'm safe, that's why I'm a Syssin." Faerah mutters through the pain, falling against the wall with the Bow of the Champion clutched in her grip.

"What is it you WANT?" Faerah asks, her voice breaking into a fierce growl as she draws an arrow from her quiver. "You do not have to prove your power to us, of that we are well convinced."

Ingram opens his eyes, rolling his shoulders, breathing a touch heavier.

--Braziered Khalisi--

Noelle straightens up, reaching as to wield her whip, the low growl in her chest mostly gone.

"I want what HE gave you. I am going to tear it from your being and consume it. You will bend, you will break, you will -VANISH-." As the words reverberate within your mind, a searing pain explodes within your skull, threatening to split it apart.

Ingram's knee gives out and he lands on it, hitting the ground, face contorting and mouth opening as his eyes clamp shut. His hands alight to his head again and his body goes rigid.

Angroth teeters weakly on his feet, grasping feverishly at his skull.

Ishin reaches up with his left hand, fingers splayed across his face, hiding his left eye while leaving the right revealed. Crimson consumes more of the visible blue iris, before he snarls audibly. "You. Can't. HAVE IT!"

Khalisi darts her eyes from side to side in a vain attempt to perceive the threat.

Noelle's eyes close tightly, one hand reaching for her head, the other still gripping the weapon.

Faerah's hands raise to her head and she grimaces painfully, fighting the urge to scream through gnashed teeth. "LEAVE THEM ALONE!" she manages to muster, her back sliding against the wall as she battles with the sickness rising in her gut.

"Show yourself!" Faerah commands, pushing herself off the wall to a wobbly stand her right hand braced against the side of her head as she looks around. "If you're so powerful at least look your hunters in the eyes."

Ingram hefts himself back to his feet, a few strands of hair sticking to his moistened brow, face still taut.

A violent snap, like hundreds of branches splitting, sound at once as every bone in your body shatters. Your insides turn to a boiling mush, seeping from your body as gashes are ripped into you by unseen means. "Die. Die. DIE DIE DIe diE DiEDIEDIEDiEdiedieDIEdieDIedie!" The voice screeches in your head as hands you cannot see rip at your limbs. "I. WILL. HAVE. IT-"

Khalisi falls to her knees, grimacing.

Unable to bear the pain Maglarion grimaces and falls to his knees.

With a bang, all sound and sensation cease, leaving you complete and whole.

Khalisi regains her feet, wobbling slightly.

Angroth blinks.

Panting heavily Maglarion rises unsteadily to his feet.

Murmuring to himself, Angroth says, "The...bloody pit?"

Ishin rolls his shoulders, throwing his body around a little as if to shrug off the felt-but-unseen hands. "We EARNED it," he retorts again even as his knees fold ever so slightly and he hunches over. With the bang, his head turns, the single eye looking right, then left. "What the fuck," he comments, before straightening up.

Ingram stumbles back before tripping on his own feet, his back hitting the ground while he emits a savage, guttural scream. His writhing and convulsing stops when the agony does, the illusion or facade, and he calms and stills.

Eugenides steps out of phase looking a little worse for ware.

Faerah blinks, looking about - brandishing her bow as she regains her footing. Her breath holds in her chest as a low growl escapes her lips.

Noelle falters, knees shaking, though her eyes open a moment later as she casts a wary glance about the room, still gripping the whip as tight as anything as she cautiously rises back to her full height, "... well, that was... Anticlimactic."

"I want a raise," Ingram hoarsely mutters from his place on the ground.

Angroth says to Ingram M. Tenor, "Of the payscale variety, or a position off of the floor?"

"Don't test fate, Lieutenant." Faerah flatly says to Noelle, her gaze following the line of the ceiling.

Eugenides Cardinalis says to Noelle, "Hey, no one was killed or possessed. sometimes that all you can ask for."

Ingram grunts as he rolls over, pushing himself up to his feet, movements careful and cautious. "Both," he replies before straightening up fully.

Noelle gives an uneasy grin towards you, "Easy, General."

"It very well may still be here. Stand guard." Faerah says, her voice a harsh command as her gaze continues to trail the ceiling.

Khalisi chuckles nervously and adds, "They don't want none of this!" She flexes jokingly in an effort to ease the tension.

"Not. Today." Familiarity in the voice of the speaker sounds calmly within your mind. "Not today, not now," it repeats, weariness laden in its words. The presence that has assaulted you dims to a faint buzzing as you feel a stiffness in your chest, a strange sense of becoming more solid taking over you.

"Is that.." Ingram starts to ask, head tilting, hand lifting.

Ishin's shoulders roll, left then right, and he gives a faint shiver. "Boss," he says, respect audible in his voice. "Thank You."

Warily eyeing his surroundings Maglarion stretches and flexes his arms and legs working feeling back into them.

Colors, sounds, and all senses return to as they were before, snapping back to normal in the blink of an eye.

<<Syssin>>: Eugenides says, "Well, I feel loads safer."

Khalisi looks to the leadership. "What now?"

Maglarion ponders the situation.

Noelle breathes out a sigh of relief, wisps of smoke following as she moves to put her dirk away, "... Return to your work. Maybe?" She says, glancing over at you.

Faerah's head lowers into a curt nod in Noelle's direction before she lowers her bow, her gaze settling upon the gathered Syssin - eyes tired and flat. "Well then. I believe we have shown how unprepared we are." Her gaze shifts to Ishin. "Find Victus. I don't care if you have to burn down the City to do it."

You say to Ishin, "...Though try really hard not to."

Ishin turns his right eye towards you, his head bobbing up and down in a respectful nod. "As you command, my General," he says. His lips turn up into a faint grin. "I'll try not to burn it down. I make no promises, though."

Eugenides Cardinalis says to Ishin Cardinalis, "Remember I'm the one who ends up with the paperwork."

Ishin Cardinalis says to Eugenides Cardinalis, "Someone has to make you earn your keep, boy."

Ishin winks at Eugenides with his right eye.

Ingram strolls over to a chair, swallowing lightly, bending to snatch up his tie and slip it through his collar before beginning to knot it up.

Eugenides nods his head emphatically.

The familiar presence begins to fade from yours mind's eye, a bovine shape seen staggering away out of the corner of your vision. Just like that, all is as it was.

Khalisi levels her eyes to Faerah. "I fear combat prowess isn't gonna be enough... Anything else we can do to prepare?"

"The Vested have been gathering information regarding the foe. You could work toward joining us and helping us in our research." Faerah replies to Khalisi, her voice tired as she glances at Angroth and Maglarion as well. "All of you can."

Eugenides Cardinalis says, "We could use it."

You say, "As for the Vested, I want every one of you hitting the ground and looking for clues. Snuggle up to members of the order of Iosyne and glean everything they could possibly know that we do not."

Ingram nods his head emphatically.

Eugenides Cardinalis says to you, "Can do."

Khalisi steps back and clings to a dark spot in the room. "I've known my place. Surely I could bat an eyelash in the direction of one of their Congregation..." Her voice trails off.

Angroth says, "General?"

You ask Angroth, "Aye, Unknown?"

Angroth says, "What of us lowlings who are particularly eager to assist?"

Faerah softly says to Angroth, "You have your tasks before you, none of them particularly challenging. If you need assistance the Vested will help you along your way. As the Guild was told when we were given this mission: 'You must crawl before you can walk.'"

With a begrudging tone, Angroth says to you, "Aye, General."

Eugenides Cardinalis says to Angroth, "Join the vested. Keep your ears open, If you see danger, run like the pit is after you."

You say, "This is not up for discussion, it's already been proven that the unvested are easy targets for infection. Your comrade, Sophastra, found that out the hard way."

Khalisi boggles her eyes. "Wait. What? That's news to me."

Khalisi grumbles to herself.

Angroth nods his head at you.

Angroth says, "As you say, General."

Khalisi says, "Is Sophastra alright?"

Ingram M. Tenor says, "No."

Khalisi creases her brow in a frown.

Ingram M. Tenor says, "But she's probably not infected anymore."

Khalisi snaps her fingers.

"I did make note of it in a recent post," Faerah murmurs, her hand rising to the bridge of her nose before she nods at Khalisi's question. "She seems to be fine, but who knows what lies dormant within her."

Biting on her bottom lip, Faerah says, "Or within any of us... Which leads to my next point... I don't care if you're an Unknown or Lieutenant, NONE of us go looking for these things on our own. Is that understood?"

Ishin nods slightly. "It just looked to be a possession, rather than an infection," he says. He lowers his left hand, finally, though his left eye is closed. He nods to you. "Yes, General."

Eugenides Cardinalis says, "Aye."

Khalisi says, "Yes, General, of course."

Angroth says, "Aye, aye General."

Noelle nods her head at you.

Ingram nods once to you.

You say, "You're all dismissed. We have a lot of work to do, Syssin. Let's keep our prayers on our Lord."