The Prelude: Returning Friends

The day has been quiet, clear sunny sky, great weather. Then quiet suddenly, the sky turns dark as the moon were eclipsing the sun. Flying down from the sky lands a winged man, flanked by two winged woman. They fly over and land in middle of the temple square. As quickly as it darkened the sky brightens.

Erakirak is accustomed to winged men and women. He lives in the Hayatiento Aerie, after all, and almost all of his neighbors are winged men and women.

Heck, he is one himself.

This triad, though, is something different, and when he sees them dropping from the sky he decides to check it out. He arrives at the Temple Square at a dead run, his silver-winged griffon running cheerfully alongside.

As the sky darkens Razen looks up, pausing on his way to the temple of Angoron. He's amazed to see the three figures dropping from the sky and as they do he suddenly forgets what he was doing and stares at them with unrestrained curiosity. Boldly he moves toward them, clearly having no idea who or what they are.

Winged figures are of some note, and those not Egalrin in particularly, if just due to their rarity and implications of power, for good or ill, that are associated. Verna lifts her hood opening to the sky to obtain a clear view, then begins to approach briskly, if perhaps cautiously.

Morgan is walking to the area as she spots the winged people but does not stare too long as not to be rude.

The male figure glances around slowly as he settles in, a flaming sword at his hip. He swings his eyes over to the those approaching, "Salutations, may the moons blessing be upon you. Are any of you brave adventurers willing to take on a quest?" the man is clearly a angelic being, for those who know their religion will easily recognize him as a Solar of Eluna, with the Deva to his right of Vardema, and the Deva on his left that of Angoron.

Razen of course recognizes none of them but he marches up toward the man and offers a quick grin. "A quest? Of course!" He seems eager really looking over the strange flying people with even more curiosity. "What sort of thing do you need done?"

Erakirak regards the being carefully.

Were someone to describe this encounter to him he would be full of questions like "who are you?" and "why should we trust you?" but there's something about these beings that makes such questions seem entirely moot.

He's about to ask them 'to what end?' when the oruchkin beats him to it, and he listens curiously.

GAME: Morgan rolls Knowledge/religion: (9)+10: 19

Morgan walks up "Master Chiron what is needed." she gives a soft look of respect.

Verna dips low, hood bowing to the ground before rising. "It is an honor to host the presence of you all, most so at once. I can only presume that it is a matter of dire importance. What aid can we offer?"

Chiron looks to Morgan, slightly impressed. "you know your lore, but not your titles. I am Solar Chiron, not master." His smile though is gentle and kind, "I appreciate the greeting." Then turns towards Verna and bows in turn. The deva on the right speaks up, "We are honored to have you here Speaker Verna, you are known among my court." then goes quiet as Chiron starts to speak again. "The Tear of Eluna, needs to be restored. When Mar'Tek in his evil schemes grabbed it he drained it and nearly destroyed the artifact. We have been tasked with seeing it restored, and will hand out tasks that need to be done to achieve this." Eyes glancing to Razen and Erakirak, "All are welcome."

Razen clearly has never heard of all of this before, but he takes note of the man's name and nods to him. "I do not know what you are talking about, but if there's something to done... I would not mind helping a good cause."

Morgan looks to Razen

Erakirak has absolutely no idea what the Tear of Eluna is. Nor who Mar'Tek is. He wonders if this has anything to do with the lich who attacked the Mictlan the other day, who left behind what seemed to be a symbol of Eluna.

Either way, though, it seems like the sort of thing that Cernan and Ceiwen would approve of. Plus there's just something about these beings that inspires.

He steps forward, accordingly. "Nor I. What do you need?"

Morgan looks to Razen "I will explain it to you on the road." she looks up to Chiron "how do you need our help."

Verna acknowledges the deva's accolade with a nod so as not to interrupt, then gestures with a gloved hand to the several gathered and willing. "Please, share the tasks required, and we will endeavor to see them completed."

Chiron humpfs and crosses his arms, "Eagerness, I like that." then pulls out a parchment, "There are five tasks that need to get done, some are simple, one of them is not." He reads the parchment, "The obtaining of high quality mana crystals. The tears of a lyconthrop blessed by Eluna. Acidic ooze strong enough to melt adamantium. The mana crystals to be fully infused with pure mana. Lastly, the heart of Mar'Tek."

"Mar'Tek's heart?" Razen looks at Chiron hesitantly. "Who's that? And why do you need him dead for this tear thing to be restored?"

"He is the pit fiend who destroyed the item in the first place. His essence taints the item, and to cleanse it he himself must be destroyed. So you will have to gather a party, and invade the hells themselves to kill him in his home domain and bring final death to him." The devon, the angoron one, speaks up almost giddy at the idea. "For ANGORON!!"

Erakirak has no idea how he might contribute towards any of those things, and he looks down, shamefaced, before looking hopefully at Morgan and Verna. They seemed far more knowledgeable than he, perhaps they would have some idea how to move forward.

Erakirak has no idea how he might contribute towards any of those things, and he looks down, shamefaced, before looking hopefully at Morgan and Verna. They seemed far more knowledgeable than he, perhaps they would have some idea how to move forward.

Morgan thinks on the name of Mar'teks heart "well if you are going to die fighting a deamon a Pit fiend is the way to go."

Razen's eyes burn brightly and he grins. "Kill a demon on it's home plane? For Angoron?" He sounds practically giddy himself. "Tell me where I can find this path and I will gladly go!"

Morgan looks to Razen "oh you sily handsome twit, I will show you what a Pit fiend looks like soon."

"The journey, much less the target, make for no easy task," Verna notes, primarily for the overzealous, "but we would see it done. The crystals are far less dangerous, though far more difficult to locate."

Erakirak asks, diffidently, "What are mana crystals?"

The deva on the right looks to Erakirak, "Mana crystals are crystals that can absorb and hold mana, or magical energies. Artificing has learned to utilize these, the guild may know of a source where to find some."

Erakirak nods at the deva's explanation. "Thank you."

Morgan thinks, "Well the tears will not be that hard as I assume you could tell us who to go to, but the acid is going to take some book work unless someone here knows about that."

Razen grins and shrugs. "I think we should kill the demon first."

"Magic", the heavily armored black cloaked and hooded warrior snorts under his breath, Darius simply tries to not fall asleep as the deva explains the esoteric uses of crystals. He shifts carefully as he waits for the mages to get done taking their sorcerous talk.

Chiron shakes his head toward Razen, "Your eagerness betrays your adventuring age. You, are young. Leave such feats to those who are able, and not rush to your death. Perhaps reach out to those like Ga'elian, Lady Sandial, Speaker Verna, and others." glancing to verna with a nod. Then looks to Erakirak, "Never underestimate your worth. The crystals should be a task within your skill, if you are willing." Then glances to Morgan, "We know of many, but, that task is yours to find and to convince. Such, is the way of things. To restore the Tear, it must be by your actions that things are done. We can only present the options, not determine which path you will take."

Erakirak nods. That much, at least, he understands. Like in the Aerie: everyone contributes what they're capable of.

Sophia nods, speaking up as she's been staying in the background for the past little while, "Free will. Though, if there's negotiating to be done, that's something I can do... even if I am somewhat out of practice."

Morgan nods to what Chiron said to her "Well I know of the org to talk to about the tears. but how to find them.' she is talking to herself.

Razen isn't sure what to say after being rebuked in such a fashion by Chiron. But his storm eyes glow a little. He knows his mission. He gives one nod to the Angoron envoy and steps back.

"So. Mana crystals." Erakirak shrugs and turns to the others. "If anyone has an idea of where to get them and can use a strong bow at your back, just say the word."

The Angoron deva gives Chiron a look, "You speak out of turn." She chides him. Chiron glances back and nods, "I do." then looks to Razen, "I have seen to many a young adventurer rush off to some great adventure or some great fight, only to die. My apologizes, study what a pit fiend is. If you think you can fight one, then I wish you best of adventures. if not, there is still plenty you can help with."

The Vardema Deva offers a somber nod to Chiron, "Agreed." then looks to the group, "Your assistance is appreciated."

Darius simply raises an eyebrow and waits for the group to decide where they are going to go next.

Sophia blinks at the mention of a pit fiend, as that's a name she apparently does recognize, and looks over towards Razen, "Well, I know my sister would hesitate before going after one of /those/... but I will aid where I can, of course."

Razen nods again to the Angoron celestial, this time with a small smile on his lips. "I have no fear." He says to Sophia, but also to those that will hear his words. "I will learn what I must, and defeat this foe."

Erakirak looks the oruchkin over, clearly not thinking much of that sort of fearlessness, but says nothing.

Chiron chuckles and glances to the Angoron Deva, "He is one of yours isn't he?" The Angoron deva just grins. Then Chiron turns his attention to the others, "Are there any further questions? We will give you what is required, bring them to the Temple of Eluna, and the temple will hold the items until all are gathered. We will leave the rest to you." Then his eyes go somber, "Also remember that Eluna shed this tear and created this item for one she loved dearly from her own. High Priestess abigail Mandessa Lu'Cred, beloved of Eluna. This artifact, if restored, is one of the few things known in existence that can cleanse void taint. Even if limited in its scope."

Ga'Elian comes flying in at some speed. Eclipses are most remarkable, and in light of other recent remarkable things, At seeing the gathered adventurers and their celestial visitors, the ranger circles in for a landing, grinning from ear to ear.

Erakirak tilts his head to one side. He's heard that name before, during some discussions about the lich who attacked the Mictlan he was standing near. In fact he'd thought that this Abigail Mandessa Lu'Cred _was_ the lich, though he must have misunderstood that... how could such a monster be beloved of Eluna?

Morgan says to Erakirak "Eluna does not hate werewolves but wishes to help cure them or help them to deal with the madness deep inside."

The Solar and devas turn on guard for a moment at the creature flying above them, then relax just as quickly. "Master Ga'Elian, good to see you. Please join us." then they look back to the group with them on the ground.

-End-