>>>We join our heroes mid-conversation: Villidan has shamelessly plied Valindra with alcohol--and to what end?--when talk turns to the realm of Acadia.>>>>

Villidan says 'Acadia is the realm of the dead, right?'

You say 'Of many things.'

You say 'Of Serin's dead, of the fey, of magic we do not understand.'

Villidan says 'What if, the wisps from there, are so potent because they are the souls of those passed on.'

Villidan says 'And why the gods find them delictable.'

You say 'Magic the demons are gobbling for supper.'

You say 'In fact . . .'

Villidan continues to play the tune.

The shadows part for a moment to reveal Vevier's divine presence.

You say 'Mama.'

Vevier peels her lips back in a too-wide grin.

Villidan says 'Did Rildan deliver my message?'

You give a bottle of whisky to Vevier.

Vevier growls 'He did.'

Villidan says 'Then my task for now is complete.'

Villidan fingers gently squeeze around his lyre.

Villidan stands up.
Villidan sits on a purple sitting chair.

You say 'Mama, which is worse? A witch's curse!'

Valindra hisses 'I am ready to deliver mine.'

Villidan says 'A song does play better with an audience.'

Villidan says 'Valindra, will you join us?'

Villidan stands up.

You say 'Almost always, dear.'

Villidan nods.

Vevier waves a tiny hand at you.

Villidan says 'To Emerald?'

Vevier growls 'We'll talk curses after I hear the song.'

Villidan says 'Or shall I play here?'

Villidan changes to his performance regalia in a flurry of cloth.

Valindra sneaks a peek of Villidan mid-dress.

Valindra smiles appreciatively, her chins wobbling.

Villidan says 'Please, enjoy a seat in the chairs.'

Villidan sits on a hand carved bench.

You sit on a purple sitting chair.

Villidan gives his lyre a quick strum before taking a moment before playing the discordant tune.

Vevier hops up on the chair, getting flour all over it.

Vevier sits on a purple and green sitting chair.

Vevier leans forward, watching Villidan hungrily.

You get a wisp essence from a satchel embroidered with the crest of Heralds.

You give a wisp essence to Vevier.

Villidan slowly playing his way through each of the four stanzas

Vevier raises the essence to her lips, then glances down at it thoughtfully.

Villidan repeats the stanzas a second time, his eyes closed in concentration as his fingers pluck at the strings.

Villidan starts on the third repetitions of stanzas.. Playing through each one before finishing off with the coda on the song.

Vevier tightens her tiny, floury fist over the essence of wisp as the song concludes and it glows with power.

Villidan opens his eyes to look at Veiver and Valindra.
Villidan says 'How was it?'

Vevier cackles 'Yes, that's it, that's it!'

Valindra nods approvingly, though she eyes the god askance, chins wobbling.

You say 'Forgive us, mama. Hibba would be here, but Villidan killed her.'

Villidan says 'I did not.'

Vevier narrows her eyes sharply.

You say 'As good as, dear.'

Villidan says 'She died fighting valiantly to aid in gaining my lyre from the mage who stole it from me.'

You say 'She always comes back.'

Villidan says 'See if I give you anymore of my booze.'

Vevier nods, then sucks down the essence in her hand like a wet noodle.

Vevier eats a wisp essence.

You say to Villidan 'You cad.'

Valindra smiles as a toad might.

Villidan says 'One and only cad.'

Villidan glances at Vevier.

Vevier growls 'Play it again. Dearie.'

Vevier grins again, too widely.

Valindra leans back a little. She taps one of the pouches at her waist.

Villidan nods slowly and begins to play the song again. Slowly making his way through the entire arrangement whilst keeping eye contact with Vevier.

Vevier doesn't blink once as she hangs on every note of the song, her eyes glowing red.

Villidan finishes the song, playing the closing coda with a fanciful flourish this time.

Vevier leans back against the chair stiffly as the smell of burnt flesh fills the room.

Valindra claps her stubby emerald hands in delight, though her eyes look troubled for a moment. She rights herself readily.

A dark shadow slips through Vevier's parted lips, cackling darkly.

Villidan sets his lyre down on the bench, as it starts to slowly play the tune itself. A soft smile gracing his lips.

Villidan says 'It will keep playing it softly until I stop it.'

You say 'How clever.'

The shadow speaks, filling the room with the sound of metal on metal 'Thank you, bard.'

Villidan says 'Of course, I'm sure your sisters have told you I practice my own form of magicks.'

Villidan winces a bit at the sound of the voice.

Valindra sits up a little straighter, her chins wobbling.

Villidan says 'You are most welcome.'

The shadow slips swiftly out of the room.

Villidan touches the lyre to hush its playing.

Valindra murmurs 'What have . . .'

Villidan says 'You back to us Mama?'

Vevier blinks, sitting up in the chair.

You say 'Villidan, I'd like you to draw me a card, please.'

You put a grimy handkerchief in a satchel embroidered with the crest of Heralds.

Villidan stands up.
Villidan draws a tarot card and reveals [ Moon ] to you.
The softness of the moon shines down on you...

You are affected by the following:
Tarot: [ Moon ] : lasts for 24 hours
: modifies hitroll by 5 for 24 hours
: modifies damroll by -5 for 24 hours
Spell: detect invis : lasts for 2 hours
Set : Arcane Gemstones: modifies health by 200 permanently
: modifies save vs spell by 7 permanently
: modifies intelligence by 3 permanently
: modifies wisdom by 3 permanently


You say 'The moon reflects insight and highlights intuition.'

Valindra murmurs something under her breath.

Villidan says 'Hmm.'

Villidan says 'It does.'

Villidan says 'But it pales in comparison to the sun.'

Villidan says 'Mama.'

Villidan says 'Are you back?'

Vevier says 'Oh yes, dearie. I'm awake now.'

Villidan says 'Good, I got that demon prince out of your body.'

Villidan says 'But now he's mucking about the realm.'

Villidan shrugs helplessly.

You peer intently at Villidan.

Vevier says 'Demon? Dearie, I just dozed off.'

Villidan says 'No, Mama.'

Villidan says 'There was a demon prince from Acadia residing within you.'

You say 'He's possessed your incarnation intermittently, on and off, for months.'

Villidan says 'And together, Valindra and myself got him out of you.'

Villidan says 'However, he wants to 'have fun' within the realm.'

Villidan says 'I fear we may need more than the Knights to deal with this.'

Villidan sighs.

Villidan says 'A leech harming my Mama, the nerve of him.'

Villidan snickers softly.

Vevier frowns and scoots back on the chair.

who
[ Trean ] Salamar the Master of Myrrh
[ Human ] Etgar the Executor of Blizzards
[50 Gobln Inv] <PK> <HERALD> (Lore Keeper) Valindra Skitterwit the Poetic Prognosticator, Lore Keeper of Myth
[ Avian ] <PK> <HERALD> (Master Scribe) Villidan the Master Bard, Master Scribe of Literature
[57 Gnome DEI] [KEEPER] [Air] Vevier the Collector of Secrets
Players found: 5
[KEEPER] The Balance prevails within the four kingdoms.

Villidan says 'Mama, I have a question. You are a collector, yes?'

Vevier says 'The Knights won't be nearly enough.'

Vevier agrees absolutely.

Vevier says 'I am.'

You say 'The Knights are not enough even when there is no Legion.'

Villidan says 'Do you have any of Denadlyr's old books?'

Villidan snickers with you about your shared secret.

You say 'Do you have Olgarda's grimoire?'

Vevier smiles happily.

Villidan says 'I guess it'll be up to us heralds then.'

Vevier says 'Denadlyr.'

Vevier shakes her head.

Villidan frowns.

Villidan says 'Any elder arcane tomes?'

Vevier sighs.

Villidan says 'From before the split of the guilds?'

Vevier says 'I once carried a great many books.'

Villidan says 'I want to find Serin's song, to find a way to close it off from others for a time.'

Villidan says 'Prevent that prince from bringing his forces here.'

You say 'Hibba . . .'

You say 'I wish Hibba were here.'

Vevier says 'That much lore in once place caused instability in the realms.'

Vevier agrees absolutely.

Villidan says 'Then I'll give my life to see this prince dead.'

Villidan says 'They hurt you.'

Villidan says 'Plan to hurt my friends.'

You say 'That song, Villidan.'

Villidan says 'I don't plan to abide.'

Vevier says 'I hope it doesn't come to that, dearie.'

You say 'Do we destroy it?'

Villidan says 'It was Serra's last gift to me.'

Villidan says 'Destroying it won't stop him.'

Villidan says 'Besides.'

Villidan says 'He doesn't know music.'

Villidan says 'He'll need a bard.'

You say 'But if others . . .'

You say 'I would see no more portals opened by others than us.'

Vevier nods.

Villidan says 'Which is why I am seeking the elder tomes of knowledge on the realm.'

Villidan sighs.

Valindra smiles at Villidan as a toad might.

You say 'Handsome and smart.'

Villidan says 'I have thought this through.'

Villidan says 'But I need someone of some prestigious arcane knowledge.'

Villidan says 'Beyond current mortal means.'

Villidan sighs.

You whisper to Vevier 'I am worried about the curse.'

Villidan says 'Where is that bloody magistrate when you need him.'

Vevier says 'Before I accepted the mantle of Air, I was paragon for Denadlyr.'

Villidan says 'I know.'

Villidan says 'Why I hoped you had his books somewhere.'

Vevier whispers to you 'Isn't that what makes a good curse, dearie?'

Villidan sighs.

Villidan says 'I need a muffin.'

Vevier says 'I had to sacrifice every tome I held.'

You whisper to Vevier 'I hope so.'

You whisper to Vevier 'I will deliver it at the Mystique Discussion.'

Villidan says 'Sacrifice them to who?'

You whisper to Vevier 'I hope you will help me see this through, Mama.'

You eat a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin.

Villidan mutters something quietly to himself.

Vevier says 'I sent them to Denadlyr himself.'

Villidan says 'Stop whispering like I'm not here please.'

You say 'Villidan.'

You say 'I will trust you.'

You say 'Not to betray my secrets.'

You say 'For all who sit here collect.'

Villidan nods at you in agreement.

You say 'I will curse the Duchess Ilromie Illistarre on the night of the Serin Mystique Discussion.'

Villidan snorts derisively.

You say 'I seek to free the flame her male tutors bound in her youth.'

Villidan says 'I was going to suggest something worse.'

Villidan says 'But that sounds like something fun.'

Villidan looks in a satchel embroidered with the crest of Heralds.
Villidan gets a cloak of forever moving water from a satchel embroidered with the crest of Heralds.
Villidan gives you a cloak of forever moving water.

You say 'I . . . thought myself clever. I thought it would help us defeat the demons.'

You say 'Villidan, you cad! You cad!'

Valindra holds the cloak up to herself and sniffs it eagerly, excited.

You say 'I needed more water.'
Villidan says 'Serra's cloak.'

You say 'I needed more water!'

You unwrap a meteoric mindflayer robe of flame-sending from around your body.
You wrap a cloak of forever moving water about your body.

Vevier looks at you.

You say 'I had counted on Serra to bind Ilromie's flame.'

You say 'But that hope is lost now.'

You say 'The Demon Prince is . . . too excited . . . for what I conjure. It makes me feel ill.'

Villidan says to Vevier 'Mama, you don't to read your cookbooks when you make things.'

Villidan says to Vevier 'Did you get rid of the knowledge you had gleaned from those books?'

Vevier says 'Of course not, dearie.'

Vevier sits down and thinks deeply.

You say 'We must find Olgarda's grimoire.'

Villidan says 'Or do those secrets still bounce about inside your noggin?'

Vevier thinks deeply, looking inward.

Villidan beckons for everyone to follow.

You say 'It is hidden to our eyes.'

Villidan says 'Use my scrying orb.'

look orb
A dark glossy orbs sits in the center of the room.

Villidan looks at parchment.

Villidan gets parchment from a velvet covered table.

You say 'From a new poem --'

Villidan says 'The note written in the demon prince's hand.'

Villidan gives parchment to Vevier.

Vevier looks at parchment.

You say ''Step right up, dear, step right in / As I divine your fate in flame and wind. / What do I spy in my scrying glass? / Why, your two lips kissing my fat ass.''

Vevier shudders as she reviews the words.

You say 'I . . . maybe should have read the room. Can I see?'

Villidan snickers softly.

Vevier gives you parchment.

[The parchment is copied with a shaky hand. It reads:]

It would be dreadful to hear too much, dearie...

Vevier says 'Your poem cheers me, dearie.'

Valindra shivers, her chins wobbling.

Villidan says 'It does sound more akin to a song.'

Villidan chuckles politely.

Vevier says 'I can recall the feel of the quill in my hands, writing this.'

You say 'What is a poem but a song by the tuneless?'

Villidan winks suggestively at you.

You say 'Mama, may I examine you?'

You say 'To see . . .'

Valindra does not finish her thought.

Vevier dusts an insubstantial amount of flour from her apron.

Vevier steps towards you, presenting herself.

Valindra capers up to the god warily. First, she inspects the god's eyes; then her fingers, counting each with her own stubby emerald ones. At the end of her inspection, she bursts into tears.

You say 'It is gone.'

Vevier grasps your hands.

Valindra has not stopped crying.

Vevier says 'It's over now, dearie.'

Vevier says 'Come here.'

Vevier opens her arms.

Valindra obliges, at first gingerly, before throwing herself into the arms of the god.

Valindra gets some snot on Vevier's apron.

Vevier pats your back gently as she makes quiet soothing noises.

Valindra relaxes a little, and her jagged breathing pattern evens.

Vevier says 'Let it out, dearie. It must have been terrifying.'

Villidan sits down on the floor.

Villidan sits down on the ground.

Villidan lets out a soft shudder.

Valindra emits one final sob at that last before quieting completely, almost to stillness.

Valindra gestures with one arm to Villidan to join their embrace.

Vevier holds one arm out to Villidan as well.

Villidan moves to shuffle towards Vevier and Valindra before pulling both onto his lap and hugging them tight.

Valindra lets out another noise, as a kept dog might, though her tears have ceased.

Vevier says, a bit muffled from the embrace 'Oh, I am so grateful to both of you brave dearies.'

Villidan says 'I require muffins.'

Vevier has created a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin!
Vevier has created a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin!

Villidan chuckles politely.

Vevier has created a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin!
Vevier has created a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin!

Vevier gives a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin to Villidan.
Vevier gives a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin to Villidan.

Villidan eats a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin.

Vevier gives you a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin.
Vevier gives you a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin.

You eat a "Mama Vev's specialty" meatless muffin.
You are full.

You say 'Villidan, you cad, you are smarter than I gave you credit for.'

Villidan says 'Mama, when I said that you gave me the family I needed, I meant it.'

Villidan says 'And I don't plan to turn back on this one and run, no matter what.'

Villidan winks suggestively at you.

Villidan says 'Like I told Serra.'

Valindra's hands drift lower, and she pinches Villidan's bottom cruelly.

Vevier settles herself on Villidan's knee, smiling up at him.

Villidan says 'No one would expect a herald of Literature to be a delver of arcane secrets.'

Villidan moves Valindra's hand back to a respectable position.

Vevier says 'A perfect cover.'

Valindra giggles, her chins wobbling.

Villidan nods.

Salamar tells you 'Are you and Villidan adventuring together?'

You tell Salamar 'In a manner of speaking, dear. I have been rude to you.'

You say 'I myself may open a brothel.'

Villidan says 'Sadly, as sweet as this reunion is, the looming threat does spoil the taste of it.'

You say 'Azerehayna is already quite adept at collecting secrets.'

Villidan raises an eyebrow at you.

Villidan says 'Who?'

You say 'The Herald maid!'

Villidan says 'Oh.'

Villidan says 'I'm hardly in the offices.'

Villidan says 'Need to move some things into my new one.'

You say 'Well, my stink's all over it.'

Villidan says 'I wouldn't know.'

Villidan says 'Can't smell.'

You snicker softly.

You say 'Salamar wishes to demonstrate his worthiness as a patron.'

Villidan says 'An odd experiment made it to where everything smells like cinnamon no matter what.'

You say 'That's the scent of my perfume, dear.'

Villidan says 'I know.'

Villidan says 'I'm not speaking of what the experiment was.'

Valindra blinks, her chins wobbling.

Valindra extends a hand but then thinks better of it.

Villidan says 'Do not forget, I am quite the feathered cad.'

You say 'Steer clear of the Darksworn, dear.'

Vevier lets out a hearty laugh.

You say 'He might get jealous.'

Villidan snorts derisively.

You say 'I know, I know.'

Villidan says 'He sold his immortal soul to give 'order' to Darkhaven.'

Salamar gossips: 'I've never been in here before.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Welcome!'

<HERALD> Villidan gossips: 'Hello.'

Vevier frowns.

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'I have been such an inhospitable host to your queries!'

Salamar gossips: 'Do Heralds share perhaps more information to a patron than they might a non patron?'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Well, you go first!'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'But I love to trade!'

Vevier nods.

Salamar gossips: 'Perhaps I can tell you what's brung me here.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'What?!'

Salamar gossips: 'I am not a bloodthirsty man.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Oh, good.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Men are the worst.'

Salamar gossips: 'I love to travel and adventure.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Especially the bloodthirsty ones.'

Salamar gossips: 'And learn secrets.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'I myself am a collector.'

Salamar gossips: 'And I think the Heralds do an awful lot of that.'

Salamar gossips: 'And I wish to support those goals.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Have you considered . . . joining our ranks?'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Why be a patron when you could be a Scholar?'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'And then, of course, ultimately, a HERALD!'

Vevier says 'I have the lost secrets locked in this skull somewhere, dearies.'

Salamar gossips: 'We are a patient people.'

Salamar gossips: 'I should like to take it bit by bit.'

You say 'Let us find a key then.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Well, I like you!'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'But I am very tired.'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'Address me c/o Villidan!'

<HERALD> Valindra gossips: 'He is the MASTER SCRIBE!'

l
An hidden chamber
| The shadows dance about this room as the flickering of candles
| are the only source of light. You can see the outlines of
| a table as you step in, the rooms seems to shift and as the
| candles burn brighter, giving more light. The stone walls
@ | are covered in carvings, some that appear to be constellations,
| others that seem to be protective runes and wards. In the
| center of this room lies a single table.
|
|
---------+

[Exits: up]
A magical spring flows from the ground here.
A stool made of heartwood.
A small heartwood writing desk.
A odd sculpture of many alien designs.
(Glowing) A blood candle is on a velvet covered table.
A leather bounded book is on a velvet covered table.
(Humming) A pitch-black orb is on a velvet covered table.
A heartwood table that is covered in velvet stands here.
You sense something divine in the shadows.
Villidan is sitting here.

You whisper to Vevier 'Mama, may we speak soon, and on curses?'

Valindra looks over meaningfully.

Salamar gossips: 'Aye, I shall.'

Villidan says 'Perhaps a song?'

Vevier nods in enthusiastic agreement with you.

You say 'Twilight, and the evening bell!'

You say 'And after that the dark!'

Villidan moves to place the others on the floor.

Vevier whispers to you 'Now, or later?'

You say 'And may there be no sadness of farewell.'

You say 'When I depart!'

<HERALD> Odile the Crier gossips: 'Farewell Valindra, may the winds guide you to a swift return.'
You stop following Villidan.
You have escaped from the Abandoned Realms.
You have left the group.