Davena gone? Shiit... Kith too?!? Noooooooo! 

Dislike Europe? As a European, I could take offense.   We're not all alike, brother. Then again, I personally have loved Germany so far. Perhaps not all Germans, but most of them too.

And I'm sure you would love Finland. 

Mmm.. Bratwurst would be nice. I guess I'll have settle on some Münchener ale tonight. There might also be one Franziskaner weissbier left in the fridge. 

You guys..  I felt like I needed some kind of explanation for the "free" Light-spells, so that's what it turned out to be.

Thanks! I had a ton of fun reading all your posts today. Great stuff! 

Even here in the northern wilderness, I cannot resist the power of Eol's summons. When he calls, I appear. That is the way of things. Sometimes...

Funny really. I had written much of the post before I had read Olan's latest post. A nice coincidence.  

Outside of the cave entrance Cedric stayed back and let the people with better-suited eyesight go in for a look. The young priest didn’t feel at all confident about going underground into a dark place where there might be gigglers lurking behind every rock. To his logically organised mind, it was total madness; suicide even. But Cedric’s mind was not the sharpest of the group. He knew it and accepted it. Smarter people than him were in charge for a very good reason. He tried to approach the situation from all angles, but couldn’t force it to make any sense.

The thought of divine, magical light made him calm down though. It brought back a memory from a few years back when he was sixteen and about to graduate (a fancy word for a short ceremony in morning light) from the Monastery of Eternal Illumination… 

It was on a fine, warm, evening of their fifteenth Autumn, one coloured by the setting sun and reddening leaves when Cedric and a fellow student called Tamas were summoned by Abbot Pleat to join him in his private quarters on the second floor of the monastery’s library. The boys were well aware of the large, but simple room with a single window and a lockless door. But neither had ever been inside. They’d heard rumours from olders students saying the Abbot’s room was filled with untold treasures or was in fact the armoury of the peaceful monastery or as the naughtiest of tongues suggested, it was a place where the Abbot satisfied his relentless sexual hunger with both boys and girls and sometimes both at the same time.

So when the call came, the lads cast a worried look at each other, but really had no idea what to expect. Tamas and Cedric were the only ones in their class who had managed to advance so far in the hard tuition. Their teachers were kind and helpful, but at the same time very, very demanding. And then there was the matter of covering the costs of the education too. Each student was expected to pay the monastery no less than two full Royals, every year. The golden coins were rarely seen in the hands of people of their standing. Both boys were from lowly peasant families, but both of their fathers already had elder sons to one day take over the farm. So Tamas and Cedric had in a sense been fortunate enough to get a chance to take on studies at the only school within 200 miles from their village.

The students were allowed to work for small pay at the monastery in addition to their daily chores. And some even left the peace and quiet of the place for a few weeks every year to work on farms or the mill in the nearby town of Redfall. But planting turnips or harvesting oats was hard work and the pay was generally not very good. And jobs at the mill were hardly better. So coming up with the needed money was not easy and without help from their families, neither of the lads would’ve been there that day.

As they stepped through the door into abbot’s chamber, both boys relaxed and nearly sighed in relief. Clearly no orgies or flagellation was going to take place and they couldn’t see any piles of gold or racks of swords in the room either. It was just a simple study with a bed, table and three chairs inside. Abbot Pleat asked the boys to sit down and asked them to pray with him. And pray they did, for hours. When the morning had turned first into a day and then into afternoon, Cedric had already guessed what it was all about. They had been summoned without any notice for their final examination and tests. There was no chance for last minute cramming.

During the rest of the day, teachers of different subjects visited the room and fired questions at the lads. Some where simple to answer, while others required more concentration and consideration. There were tests for their memory, smarts and wisdom. There were queries of the teachings of Solanis. There were questions about the history of the monastery, the religion, the nation of Ertain and even the World. They had to come up with solutions in difficult situations where the choice often had to be made between two evils.

When darkness had fallen and the day had finally turned into evening, both Cedric and Tamas were exhausted mentally and surprisingly also physically. They’d had nothing to eat the whole day and very little to drink too. So when the Abbot stood up, called for the other teachers to join them in the chamber and congratulated the boys, they could only hug each other in silence, happy. But they day was not over. The Abbot threw a feast that lasted well into the night in their honor at the refectory before summoning them into his quarters once more. It was then that he told them the most sacred secret of the Monastery of Eternal Illumination:

“For two hundred and seventeen years, our priests have been chosen by our Lord Solanis to spread his light into Ertain. The Radiant Father in his omniscient wisdom appeared to my predecessor of the time, Father Thoma and taught him a certain holy ritual we will now go through together. As part of the original ritual the Lord promised to permanently share a small part of his power to the friars of our monastery on the day of their graduation to the service of the Luminary. This power, which I on behalf of our Lord will now bestow upon you, will allow you both to summon magical light without the need of praying for divine powers. Sometimes, as you will doubtlessly one day find out, there simply is no time or possibility to say prayers to the Blazing Star. During those moments, His light can mean a world of difference in the survival of you or someone else.”

The young priest, or in fact friar, was still deep in thought when the group came upon the first door in the cave, one marked by the laughing skull of D’hurgen. The symbol made Cedric remember the giggling ghouls and shiver. The gasp let out by Kithran brought the cleric out of his thoughts. At first he believed the undead had already ambushed them, but quickly realised the rogue had experienced something when she examined the door. Cedric was about to ask what happened, when sharp words started flying in the gloom cave between his friends and Davena. He couldn’t quite understand what had happened. Why did the blonde woman’s voice have such an edge to it? Still silent, Cedric observed how the situation developed ready to act if need be. Fortunately the thing, whatever it had been, passed as quickly as it had appeared and Aranwen moved ahead to try the door again. The Syl seemed to flinch just like Kith had, but Cedric really couldn’t be sure if she had or if he had just imagined it.

The door opened to reveal a small room lit by strange green flames, an antechamber leading to a second doorway beyond which a much larger room was visible. Another door awaited, but this time as Kith examined it, there was no gasping or flinching and even Midge confirmed the portal bore no magics. The tunnel behind the door was just as quiet as the room was, almost disturbingly so. Everyone took their places like they had planned earlier and they headed down the hallway in single file. Cedric felt uneasy about the silence. He felt like the gigglers could be leaping at them at any moment. 

And then! There it was. A giggle in the dark ahead! And then there was another, this time behind them! Trapped in a tunnel with ghouls on either side, the cleric felt an involuntary shiver of fear in the small of his back. Things looked bad, but then they turned even worse. Chanting, not completely unlike that of Midge’s or even his own could be heard from somewhere. And the moment it ended, adarkness fell on Cedric and judging by the surprised cries of his companions, them as well. A darkness so thick he couldn’t even see the light from their torches.

Panic struck Cedric when he heard the third giggling sound all too close. He knew they needed to act fast and that was when Abbot Pleat’s words rang in his mind. “Sometimes there simply is no time to say prayers…” Grasping the holy disc hanging on a chain around his neck, the young priest summoned the piece of Solanis’s power bound within his soul and cast a spell of light to cancel magical darkness around them. 

A post is in the making. I've had a terrible week at work nd way too busy outside of it too. I hope Solanis sends me some strength to finish it today. 

Sorry for not posting yet. I've been seriously busy during the weekend, albeit for the best of reasons. I spent most of Friday, all of Saturday and a bit of Sunday on playing a Star Wars campaign (d20) live ie. table-top, paper & pen & dice with my best friends. Two whole years went by since our last game session together, so as you can imagine, I had very little time for anything else. But daemn did we have FUN!

You guys are filling up my inbox like it's 2001 all over again and I love it! 

Oh great, Rob. Now there's no room for anyone else's post anymore.

Germany, Lance? I'm so jealous. Whereabouts? Been a couple of years since my last visit. 

Well daemn! I totally forgot the extra light spells. Thanks Olan! Then again, in his mind the power still comes from Solanis even if can't use the particular parts of it for healing.

Let's keep the post as it is and see if our magnificent leader takes the issue up with Davena.  That's not what Cedric is aiming for of course. He is just about as cunning as a haypole is.

Hmm then again, I might edit it a bit anyway. 

 Love it! 

Ever since the newly formed group made off from their makeshift camp towards what everyone assumed was the source of the undead plague roaming the lands nearby, Cedric had felt very, very uneasy. One moment he blamed the events from the last few days, especially yesterday or the nightmare he had been through again and again during the night. The next moment the cleric considered his nervousness a result of his lack of faith. Although he knew the Radiant Father would be waiting for him arms wide open when his time would come, Cedric doubted himself on every step that took him closer to their goal. What if he wasn’t strong enough to stand unshaken in the face of death? What if he would fail in his prayers to Solanis? What if he would be paralysed and the voice from his dreams would beckon him to join the dark side? Would he be able to resist or would he be too weak in his faith?

I am not worthy of your love, my Lord. Please forgive my doubting thoughts. I put my life in your hand Holy Father, for I am nothing but a vessel of your will and your power. Make me strong in the face of the evil and let me find the power to overcome my fears. Watch over my companions and bless them with your love.

Cedric carried on praying in silence all the way through the forest to the cliffs. When the advance came to a halt and everyone started pondering on how they should proceed, the young priest finally feltl slightly better. His chanting had helped him sense the strength in the connection between his mortal soul and his eternal lord and Cedric knew Solanis would answer should he need to pray for his powers to give them aid. The discussion around the group helped too. Considering marching orders and light sources allowed him to push away the thoughts of grinning rotten faces and shambling walking corpses. And yet… the thought of entering a dark cave filled with undead monsters and crazy cultists made Cedric shiver.

While the others talked, the cleric went through his weapons; the sling was in its place under his belt, the pouch of bullets well secured and not too tightly shut to enable pulling out one bullet or three at a time. His backpack was loose enough for him to swung it off his back if needed and yet tight enough not to move around too much to hamper the wielding of his staff. Not that it would actually matter as the young man’s fighting skills were rudimentary at best. But the checks again helped ease Cedric’s mind. Light… Why didn’t I get myself a lantern or even a few torches back in the town? Stupid…

The shirt of chainmail felt uncomfortable and awkward. Cedric would have preferred to carry the armour inside the backpack instead of wearing it, but he knew it might actually save his life today. And by keeping him safe, it could potentially help him save the life of someone else with Solanis’ powers. So the chainmail stayed on even if the young man felt like he needed to adjust it all the time. Cedric gripped his staff tightly and gave it a few practice swings… He now wished he would’ve been more attentive during the martial training lessions, but he had always been more of a bookworm than a warrior. Today he might pay the price for his choices…

When there was a moment of silence, Cedric approached the leader of the motley crew and spoke quietly. ”Aranwen, perhaps I could remind you that Solanis willing, I can summon magical light that can be hidden partly or completely if need be. The problem with the magical light is, that it does drain me like all the forms in which the Radiant Father's power can be shaped through prayer.”

The cleric casts a glance at Davena. ”I was wondering… To my understanding sorcerers have similar spells at their disposal. Since it would seem that Davena is a wielder of magic of considerable power or so her spell of lightning would imply, I wonder if she has similar spells in her repertoire? Perhaps more powerful or useful ones than mine? I would hesitate to expend my strength to lighting our way, if not absolutely necessary, for doing so, I will be able to summon less divine healing powers… Just thought I would share my thoughts with you, that’s all.”

The lad feel into deep thought for a few breaths before continuing: ”Oh and another thing… I would, if you wouldn’t mind, like to swap places with Gib in our order of marching. He is far more capable in combat than I am and in case of a rear ambush, I feel I can buy Ch’dau some time or give him some assistance warding off the attack… But… but I am happy either way of course.” Cedric’s “happy” didn’t exactly come out as if he really was happy. His solid voice belied the anxiousness building up inside of him. Though he put up a valiant effort to appear calm, Aranwen’s sharp eyes and ears could doubtlessly see through the charade.

Shiiiii... We're did all of those posts come from? The best stuff to read on a Friday evening. 

A Bladesinger!! We have a Bladesinger!!  Loved the post. 

 Thanks boss! 

Aww... Guys, you're too kind. Thanks! 

Posted finally I have. 

Cedric felt a wave of terrible agony, something like he had never experienced before, run through his abdomen as the needle-sharp claws of the grinning ghoul cut cleanly through his robe, shirt and skin. The pain spread around his body and and quickly turned into an icy cold that slowly froze his limbs and stopped him from moving a single muscle in his body. He could feel the cold take a grip of his frantically beating heart and the terror he felt almost made him black out. But even if he would have accepted the unconsciousness and ignorance gladly, such relief never came. Instead, the drooling, grinning, foul-smelling, (oddly enough he could still smell the stench of death) monstrous rotten face of the ghoul appeared right next to his, licked his cheek and to the young priest’s surprise, spoke with a soft and deep male voice:

“Do not resist, my beautiful. Let me bring your sweet, bright soul to your new Lord willingly. Let me introduce you to real power… To the darkness of the Devourer; the Walker of Shadows. Embrace the might of D’hurgen and accept your fate.”

Cedric didn’t have to guess what the other option was, but as he fought against the cold, he concentrated on the light of Solanis - the touch of the Blazing Lord. Little by little the icy grip of the ghoul’s touch gave way to the warmth and love of the Radiant Father. He could hear the velvety voice turn into a piercing shriek as the power of Good fought and pushed away the shadow more easily and stronger with every beat of his now vibrant heart. He could feel the frozen scream on his own face melt and become a smile of confidence, of trust and and of love. 

The ghoul exploded in a blinding ball of light and its screams became familiar voices. The foul smells were replaced by the sweet scents of trees and flowers and burning wood.

… and Cedric opened up his eyes. He was still lying down on the forest floor in what seemed to him like the same position and posture he fallen asleep in. But the cold sweat on the back of his shirt and in his hair spoke of a restless rest; the nightmare he had abruptly woken up from. Pushing himself up, the cleric found the robe he’d been using as a blanket in a messy pile next to him and definitely not where he usually found it in the morning. It took the young man a few minutes to stop shaking and to be able to get up on his knees, dress up and finally stand up. Although Cedric had been totally out for a good number of hours, he felt like he hadn’t slept at all. He took a gulp or two of water from his wineskin, but didn’t feel at all like eating. Just a thought of putting something in his mouth made him sick. Instead he poured some more water on his face and rubbed away the filth of the imaginary undead tongue.

Starting to feel slightly better, Cedric walked to Gib with a question in mind. But before he had a chance to voice it, Kith appeared and pulled out a pendant of a grinning skull. Seeing the unholy symbol gave him the chills and not in a good way. Cedric took an instinctive step back and unconsciously reached for the golden disc hanging on his own chest. It was the first time he had ever laid eyes on a physical symbol of the Death God in his life, even though he’d seen more than few versions of it in books and scrolls before. Gib was clearly less impressed by the pendant and after glancing at Cedric, gave his opinion about it. The younger man of the cloth merely managed a couple of nods in agreement. 

As Kithran thanked the priests and turned to leave, Cedric reached to touch her shoulder. “I… Can I have a closer look at it?” When Kith handed the pendant over, the priest did his best in trying not to flinch. He closed his left hand around the skull while the right squeezed the symbol of Solanis. Looking at the brightening sky, Cedric exhaled and inhaled slowly to help him relax and concentrate. 

“Lord of Light, my Master in life and in death, share some of your radiance and eternal wisdom with your humble servant. Let me see through this item most hideous, the symbol of everything wrong in the world. Allow my mortal eyes recognise any unholy magic hidden within it.”

Having said the prayer, Cedric turned the pendant around in his hand and then shrugged. He hadn’t actually prayed for such powers before and wasn’t completely sure the spell had worked. He did sense the familiar connection with Solanis, but the amulet looked in no way different from before. Both Kith and Gib could see the younger priest lift his eyes from his hands and turn towards Garn. His gaze passed the large swordsman quickly, moved on and then stopped at Davina. Cedric stared at the beautiful woman for a while and the wondering look on his face changed to something of surprise. Blinking rapidly a couple of times, he looked at Davina for a few heartbeats longer and then returned to Kith. “No. There is no magic in the evil amulet. And I agree with friend Gib, I would get rid of the thing… But your call of course. If you decide to part ways with it, perhaps simply throwing it away is not the best way… I am sure the elders at my college would be interested in doing some more research on the amulet. But at the very least, destroy it by melting it in a forge or something.”

Cedric lets Aranwen, Gib, Kith and Ch’dau discuss their future actions with or without Davina and Garn. He is still shaken by the nightmare and doesn’t feel like participating in something he has very little experience of. The young man is happy to hear the group will not be divided into two though or at least not completely. He doesn’t feel fear so much for his own safety as he does for this companions. For although Cedric doesn’t have much faith in his own fighting skills, the lead team is lacking in healing powers with him and Gib both bringing up the rear with Midge and Aranwen. Moving out according to their leader’s plans makes a lot of sense to him. The less warrior-types, excluding Aranwen herself of course, will not be disturbing the scouting party’s work. And yet at the same time they will be close enough to help in case the others run into trouble.

And even though Davina and her sword swinging friend did undeniably help Cedric and his friends survive last night, the cleric still feels uneasy about the idea of trusting the duo completely. 

Yeah. Work. Tomorrow I'll post. I must. 

Yeaahhh.... I didn't mean anything by that either, except to mention it in case Reralae didn't feel like having her female character having sex with another female. Thought it might be her call. 

I'm happy either way or both ways or any way as long as there is love in the air. It doesn't have to be between the two women or other characters or even in the game, let's just love people! Or the Eiffel or the WTC towers as I hear a Finnish lady does. Says it's sexual too...

Err.. Never mind me... Feel free to ignore this post. 

Oh and I gotta ask this... That thing between Davina and Aran..wen, did it happen? 

Damn you lovely people for posting do much is such a short time! I haven't had the time to read through everything let alone post. Will post as soon as possible.

Oh and Reralae, lovely to see you again! It's been a while. Great to have you on board!