Post by Dave on Jul 8, 2008 18:49:54 GMT -5
Commotion swept through the Citadel for weeks. It was being said that the Great Atarvalkaan would be taking new Exarchs under him. Everyone said so, and in a place this cell-oriented, that meant the news came from higher up. As in, it came from the Smith himself. Almost nobody could remember the last time he took new Exarchs, except for a few of the older elves scattered through the compound. So naturally, everyone wanted to know how the selection process works. Would it be promotions for those already higher up, or new positions given to people not even here yet. Nobody knew...
Except, of course, for those in the know. Word reached certain specific individuals that they would be taken as Exarchs. All were told to bring their offering to their new Lord, and when to bring it. There was only one option for where - the Smith's great hall, the one outsiders were never allowed into. And so they gather...
Begin Game
You each find your way to the hall with little trouble. One inside the compound, no one seems to guard its location, although anyone asking does receive questioning looks. There is an almost suspicious lack of guards around it, in fact. For being a place where outsiders are not permitted, one would think a heavy guard force would be in effect, but such is not the case - nor are there magical wards, for those that search out such things.
The door opens with little resistance, offering a dark, nearly black room, with a small dais, large enough to accommodate a single person, and an alter before it - it would appear to be set to bear a single item upon it. You each quickly figure out that this is exactly a pedestal for your sacrifice, and the dais a waiting place. You see no others around, however.
As you enter, a deep, resonating voice commands, "Bear your gift to the altar, wait upon your mark." Following the directions, a mark bearing your name appears upon the dais after your item has been offered.
Upon placing your offering, and stepping upon your mark, light filters into the room, you find the dais you are standing upon lies within a circular mark with a runic numeral upon the floor. Similar marks and daises lie in a ring around the room, numbered from "I" to "XX." Others stand upon other markings.
IX-Arcades Sabboth
X-Forgotten
XI-Artorus Merzing
XII-Sarock
XIII-Twoerc
XIV-Ratel Jo
XV-Helbi d'Cannith
The remaining marks are empty. You appear to be in an empty hall nearly two hundred feet long, another hundred across, and perhaps fifty feet tall. There is no visible furniture, aside from that associated with the ring of daises. Only one entrance is present, and it sits behind the circle marked with "I." Oddly enough, there are no door behind any of you.
The voice again speaks, "You have all been chosen to become Exarchs of the Great Dragon Atarvalkaan. Your gifts are sufficient, their worth and timeliness has been noted." With this, the single door, perhaps twenty feet tall, opens from the set of double doors behind the "I" mark. A human man walks forth from the opening, perhaps thirty years old, a happy-looking smile on his face. He speaks in a soft voice, but one that is nevertheless easily heard from the furthest reaches of this chamber you are sure. "You now become eternal servants of the Crafter. He will be here shortly to complete the ceremony. While we wait, I would like to dole out what gifts we have for our new siblings-in-arms." He moves to each of you, and hands you a belt pouch that he draws from his robe sleeve. Peering within, you find the following:
IX-Arcades Sabboth: Cloak of the Stalwart Faith (continuous Freedom of Movement, DR 10/chaos, +5 deflection to AC)
X-Forgotten: A large quartz crystal (details via PM)
XI-Artorus Merzing: Bracers of Quick Justice (extra attack each round, as per haste; teleport 30' as a swift action 3/day)
XII-Sarock: Black Band (add 1 vile damage to melee attacks, take 2 nonlethal damage back per attack)
XIII-Twoerc: Psi-scabbard (3/day applies any +1 bonus to weapon inside [see sacred scabbard], costs 5PP to change ability as standard action [otherwise same ability as last use])
XIV-Ratel Jo: Mask of the Eldritch Dark (mask with no eyes cut out, obscures vision but allows wearer to see as per deathwatch, detect magic, detect poison, read magic spells, after any requisite waiting; permits spells to use these divinations for 'Line of Sight' effect)
XV-Helbi d'Cannith: A set of 11 rings: 1 Master Ring and 10 Slave Rings [see BoVD]
All of the bags appear very large inside, as they are bags of holding type IV.
"These were permitted by our Lord to be presented to you all by us, Exarchs number 1 through 8 of Atarvalkaan. My siblings were not able to be here today, but I extend their welcome, as well as my own." He moves to stand upon the "II" marked dais. "While we have a moment before our Lord arrives, do any of you have questions I may assist with?"
Except, of course, for those in the know. Word reached certain specific individuals that they would be taken as Exarchs. All were told to bring their offering to their new Lord, and when to bring it. There was only one option for where - the Smith's great hall, the one outsiders were never allowed into. And so they gather...
Begin Game
You each find your way to the hall with little trouble. One inside the compound, no one seems to guard its location, although anyone asking does receive questioning looks. There is an almost suspicious lack of guards around it, in fact. For being a place where outsiders are not permitted, one would think a heavy guard force would be in effect, but such is not the case - nor are there magical wards, for those that search out such things.
The door opens with little resistance, offering a dark, nearly black room, with a small dais, large enough to accommodate a single person, and an alter before it - it would appear to be set to bear a single item upon it. You each quickly figure out that this is exactly a pedestal for your sacrifice, and the dais a waiting place. You see no others around, however.
As you enter, a deep, resonating voice commands, "Bear your gift to the altar, wait upon your mark." Following the directions, a mark bearing your name appears upon the dais after your item has been offered.
Upon placing your offering, and stepping upon your mark, light filters into the room, you find the dais you are standing upon lies within a circular mark with a runic numeral upon the floor. Similar marks and daises lie in a ring around the room, numbered from "I" to "XX." Others stand upon other markings.
IX-Arcades Sabboth
X-Forgotten
XI-Artorus Merzing
XII-Sarock
XIII-Twoerc
XIV-Ratel Jo
XV-Helbi d'Cannith
The remaining marks are empty. You appear to be in an empty hall nearly two hundred feet long, another hundred across, and perhaps fifty feet tall. There is no visible furniture, aside from that associated with the ring of daises. Only one entrance is present, and it sits behind the circle marked with "I." Oddly enough, there are no door behind any of you.
The voice again speaks, "You have all been chosen to become Exarchs of the Great Dragon Atarvalkaan. Your gifts are sufficient, their worth and timeliness has been noted." With this, the single door, perhaps twenty feet tall, opens from the set of double doors behind the "I" mark. A human man walks forth from the opening, perhaps thirty years old, a happy-looking smile on his face. He speaks in a soft voice, but one that is nevertheless easily heard from the furthest reaches of this chamber you are sure. "You now become eternal servants of the Crafter. He will be here shortly to complete the ceremony. While we wait, I would like to dole out what gifts we have for our new siblings-in-arms." He moves to each of you, and hands you a belt pouch that he draws from his robe sleeve. Peering within, you find the following:
IX-Arcades Sabboth: Cloak of the Stalwart Faith (continuous Freedom of Movement, DR 10/chaos, +5 deflection to AC)
X-Forgotten: A large quartz crystal (details via PM)
XI-Artorus Merzing: Bracers of Quick Justice (extra attack each round, as per haste; teleport 30' as a swift action 3/day)
XII-Sarock: Black Band (add 1 vile damage to melee attacks, take 2 nonlethal damage back per attack)
XIII-Twoerc: Psi-scabbard (3/day applies any +1 bonus to weapon inside [see sacred scabbard], costs 5PP to change ability as standard action [otherwise same ability as last use])
XIV-Ratel Jo: Mask of the Eldritch Dark (mask with no eyes cut out, obscures vision but allows wearer to see as per deathwatch, detect magic, detect poison, read magic spells, after any requisite waiting; permits spells to use these divinations for 'Line of Sight' effect)
XV-Helbi d'Cannith: A set of 11 rings: 1 Master Ring and 10 Slave Rings [see BoVD]
All of the bags appear very large inside, as they are bags of holding type IV.
"These were permitted by our Lord to be presented to you all by us, Exarchs number 1 through 8 of Atarvalkaan. My siblings were not able to be here today, but I extend their welcome, as well as my own." He moves to stand upon the "II" marked dais. "While we have a moment before our Lord arrives, do any of you have questions I may assist with?"