The easily flattered djinni seems quite pleased with the praise from the ex-preceptor. "Yes, once free I will regain my full powers little one, one day I will be able to grant you your wishes." He says with a proud smile. It takes a moment for the djinni to get the fairly indecent joke, also somewhat impressed with the stamina of this Groster. "He was as clever boy." The djinni chuckles as he rests against the great oak.
As the Tiefling suggests exploring, Yasmina quickly looks around at the others. "I'm comfortable as it is thank you but I suppose I can come along."She says, still laying back comfortably in the grass.
"Come on kids..." Duwamilly insists on trying to enlarge the company "Let's go all together! The more we are, the more fun we will have..."
However, if no one else is interested, the enthusiastic Planerunner will certainly not miss the opportunity to explore Mount Celestia with the tiefling! "Are we aiming to go up?" she suggests "Usually going up is difficult, but that's where you get the best views..."
[[ OOC: @DM: I expect you will narrate what we find or what happens, won't you? Or do you prefer me to narrate, as with the other short jaunts Duwamilly has dragged one or more of the Accursed on? ]]
"...And how could we disappoint them, after all the assistance they have given us, leading us to the recovery of what can free us from our afflictions?" Duwamilly winks and with a final mysterious but euphoric exclamation "Ultreia et suseia!" she sets out together with Delvindra (and anyone who wants to join the trip), heading, precisely, ultreia et suseia - further and higher!
Okay, so it sounds like Milly and Delvindra have split off from the group to go up the mountain and see what they may see.
So that is what they do, treading upon the soft grass and bathed in celestial radiance. Every moment that one is here, they feel lighter and more joyous. As they continue, they see a rather strange sight... a bear in full plate armor standing on its hind legs.
Though you may attempt to hide from it, the bear seemingly senses your presence and looks directly at you. It doesn't say anything right away... it doesn't appear hostile; it seems more curious than anything else at the presence of two mortals in its realm. It seems to be waiting to see what you will do.
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"So cute!" exclaims Duwamilly, upon seeing the bear "It certainly isn't every day you see a knight with such a solemn..." she approaches without fear "...bearing!" (she underlines the initial part of the word, 'bear', to make the pun better noticed)
"Pleased to meet you!" the ex-preceptor, having arrived at close range, extends her small hand "Duwamilly 'Planerunner' of clan Gerinell! Ex-preceptor, current good humor emissary on behalf of Garl Glittergold and tireless visitor of the dimensions of the Multiverse! However, jokes aside, it's true that you have a noble bearing... and beautiful armor! Are you a noble, here? If I had met you years ago, you might have hired me as a Preceptor... Since this is an Outer Plane, a dimension of spirit, you must have lots of children around... and who knows how much they want to have fun! I would have gladly helped you with this. Children learn better, while they have fun, you know? And even better if you have the whole eternity at your disposal to teach them! Hey! But maybe, after all, I can help you... me and the kid over there, Delvindra, have an hour to kill... Oh, but I'm digressing! Sorry, it happens to me, every now and then... Where was I? Oh, yes, Delvindra! She" the gnome's little finger points to the tiefling "is Delvindra, I was saying! She's with me because, you see, she trains for endurance... She worships Ilmater, you know... But come close, Delvindra, honey! Don't let me say it all myself, come and meet our dear Mr... Mr..." it is then that she realizes that the other probably does not have the gnomic ability to speak while others also speak - the so incredibly useful ability to communicate in parallel which saves gnomes a lot of time but which other species struggle to master - so she remains silent for a moment, fixing her brown eyes, full of anticipation, in those of the other...
At Duwamilly's insistence (because, to Delvindra, everything Milly says seems to carry the air of insistence), she steps cautiously forward with eyes lowered.
"May the blessings of the Broken God strengthen you," she greets him in Celestial.
"No, Young Ones, I am not a noble. I am merely a guardian of this realm," the bear says with a kindly smile. "I am Karael, one of the many Warden Archons who protect this realm from those who would seek to spread evil and corrupt this bastion of light. I see light in both of you... but I also can sense that darkness follows you. Evil seeks to claim you both, and it follows you wherever you go."
He pauses, looking at Delvindra meaningfully.
"This place will welcome and shelter you for a time, but stay no longer than you must."
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Delvindra bows her head, partially out of respect but also out of shame. She knows that she is unworthy to look up on this creature.
"We seek only an hour's solace. If we could be gone sooner, we would. I beg forgiveness for my intrusion and ask that you not judge my companions by the company they keep."
Then, head still lowered, she turns away.
"I'll meet you back down with the others," she says to Duwamilly.
"No way!" Duwamilly grabs Delvindra by the sleeve "Our hour of solace has just begun! And Karael, here hasn't sent you away at all. The evil he feels is probably that of that scamp of Firion (which, as you have rightly observed in other occasions, he is very good at following our moves)".
"You see, Karael," the ex-Preceptor explains to the Archon "Delvindra here is affected by a strong curse, of which she is very ashamed. I also am cursed, but I'm less ashamed. Gnomes are not easily ashamed. But I'm digressing. Sorry about that, it happens every now and then. (Not that I'm ashamed of this). Anyway, point is Delvindra here, because of her curse, sometimes takes on blame that she does not have. But the fact that she is fighting not only against her curse - which we will soon be able to remove - but also against an exalted spellcaster who would like to release into the world a she-dragon even more exalted than him, Sserah 'One Who Sleeps' Nightsbane!"
"Have you ever heard of her? Hey, won't you walk with us a bit?" the gnome cleric gets more and more excited "You could show us some characteristic places nearby and tell us a little about the Warden Archons... I would so love to know more about you! And we could tell you about this she-dragon goddess-wannabe who exalted-scamp-Firion would like to unleash! This is a grave threat to the good of the multiverse, you know? It might be something you're interested in knowing - regardless of what you may or may not do about it. It would be paradoxical in its own way, don't you think, if the only one to help us against this threat was a lich... when in the multiverse there are so many angels dedicated perpetually to the cause of good?"
[[ OOC: If we fear that explaining everything to Karael will become too boring, we can also assume that Duwamilly does it, as far as I'm concerned... Her intentions are those she declared in words: an exchange of courtesies and information with the Archon - the Archon shows us some characteristic places nearby and tells us something about the Warden Archons, while Duwamilly tells him in detail the story she is involved in. As far as I'm concerned, we can handle it either with various dialogue posts or with the DM summarizing what we see/discover and how the Archon reacts. ]]
"Sserah Nightsbane?" the Warden says thoughtfully. "That dark name is one I have not heard in many years... but I have heard it before. Normally I would ask why you would turn to an undead for aid... but if there is a chance Sserah may return, then I cannot fault you for accepting any ally who may have the power to prevent this calamity."
The Celestial is willing to walk with you for a time, explaining that his duty is to guard the various portals into the Seven Heavens and prevent dangerous entities from coming through said portals. Mostly, that means fiends trying in vain to invade this plane that represents everything that the infernal powers despise. He isn't really much of a 'tour guide,' but he is able to answer questions about most things that catch your interest.
When the hour is up, Karael will come with Duwamilly and Delvindra to see the party off (that is to say, he wants to be sure that you mortals and the dark magic that follows you return to where you came from). If anyone else in the party would like to speak to him, he is willing to listen and could possibly be persuaded to help you in some way.
Well... Duwamilly has explained in the meantime to Karael that the powerful scamp Firion plans to awaken Sserah Nightsbane... and therefore now she specifies that anything the celestial forces can do to counter him will be welcome. But she has no specific requests to make at the moment. However, she will try to exploit any influence acquired over the guardian to support any requests from other Accursed.
[[ OOC: Providing Help, if someone has something specific to ask for ]]
Meanwhile Yasmina has had a most pleasant rest in the soft green grass of Mount Celestia. As Milly and Delvindra returns with the celestial bear, she slowly gets up and greets the celestial with a graceful curtsy and a pleasant smile. Lord Amir too greets the celestial with an acknowledging nod of his proud head. Neither of them has any questions or favours to ask of him though and both are ready to proceed to Captain Fox's ship outside the Shaded Isle.
The Celestial returns the djinni's gesture of respect.
"Take care, young ones... the foes you face are great and terrible indeed. As I am a Warden, my place is here. I regret that I cannot aid you further in preventing the return of this great evil, but I can give you one final parting gift."
The bear produces three spell scrolls of dispel magic, which you can divvy up as you so choose.
And with that, he returns to his duties of protecting Mount Celestia from the forces of evil. You are now free to return to Captain Fox's ship, unless anyone else has anything that they want to say or do.
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"You are truly a dear Archon, Karael!" Duwamilly smiles "We thank you very much for both the company and the gift! Don't worry: you, as Warden, are forced to stay here... but Garl Glittergold is with us! We will manage to prank that scamp Firion! We will be the ones laughing in the end!"
The gnome cleric examines the magical writings... and she realizes she can understand them: "Those are wonderful scrolls, kids!" she exclaims "They can clear hostile magic! Try reading them too..." she tries to pass them to everyone, in order to check who can read them and who can't [[ OOC: Whoever has the spell, Dispel Magic, in their class's spell list can read them ]]. She suggests that anyone who can read them take one (so that more people, in an emergency, can try to use them).
After sharing the scrolls, the ex-Preceptor iscready to get planeshifted by Lord Amir: "Come on kids!" she exhorts the other Accursed "Time to continue our jaunt elsewhere!" when everyone has passed, she greets the celestial-teddy-bear one last time with her little hand, then she also enters.
“A trip trough this woods sounds like a great way to spend an enjoyable hour!” Duwamilly exclaims at Delvindra's proposal "What do you think, kids?"
The easily flattered djinni seems quite pleased with the praise from the ex-preceptor. "Yes, once free I will regain my full powers little one, one day I will be able to grant you your wishes." He says with a proud smile. It takes a moment for the djinni to get the fairly indecent joke, also somewhat impressed with the stamina of this Groster. "He was as clever boy." The djinni chuckles as he rests against the great oak.
As the Tiefling suggests exploring, Yasmina quickly looks around at the others. "I'm comfortable as it is thank you but I suppose I can come along." She says, still laying back comfortably in the grass.
Delvindra makes a small hrumphing noise and then dumps her pack next to the scarlet-haired warlock.
"Well, I suppose someone should stay behind and watch the gear. Come on, Milly. Let's go live a little."
"Come on kids..." Duwamilly insists on trying to enlarge the company "Let's go all together! The more we are, the more fun we will have..."
However, if no one else is interested, the enthusiastic Planerunner will certainly not miss the opportunity to explore Mount Celestia with the tiefling! "Are we aiming to go up?" she suggests "Usually going up is difficult, but that's where you get the best views..."
[[ OOC: @DM: I expect you will narrate what we find or what happens, won't you? Or do you prefer me to narrate, as with the other short jaunts Duwamilly has dragged one or more of the Accursed on? ]]
"I imagine Ilmater and Garl Glittergold would expect us to take the high road and rise to any challenge," Delvindra says with a silly, childish, grin.
"...And how could we disappoint them, after all the assistance they have given us, leading us to the recovery of what can free us from our afflictions?" Duwamilly winks and with a final mysterious but euphoric exclamation "Ultreia et suseia!" she sets out together with Delvindra (and anyone who wants to join the trip), heading, precisely, ultreia et suseia - further and higher!
Okay, so it sounds like Milly and Delvindra have split off from the group to go up the mountain and see what they may see.
So that is what they do, treading upon the soft grass and bathed in celestial radiance. Every moment that one is here, they feel lighter and more joyous. As they continue, they see a rather strange sight... a bear in full plate armor standing on its hind legs.
Though you may attempt to hide from it, the bear seemingly senses your presence and looks directly at you. It doesn't say anything right away... it doesn't appear hostile; it seems more curious than anything else at the presence of two mortals in its realm. It seems to be waiting to see what you will do.
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Delvindra freezes, suddenly much more aware of her fiendish heritage than she's been in a very long time.
She looks uncertainly at Duwamilly and, uttering a silent prayer to Ilmater, raises her hand in greeting.
"So cute!" exclaims Duwamilly, upon seeing the bear "It certainly isn't every day you see a knight with such a solemn..." she approaches without fear "...bearing!" (she underlines the initial part of the word, 'bear', to make the pun better noticed)
"Pleased to meet you!" the ex-preceptor, having arrived at close range, extends her small hand "Duwamilly 'Planerunner' of clan Gerinell! Ex-preceptor, current good humor emissary on behalf of Garl Glittergold and tireless visitor of the dimensions of the Multiverse! However, jokes aside, it's true that you have a noble bearing... and beautiful armor! Are you a noble, here? If I had met you years ago, you might have hired me as a Preceptor... Since this is an Outer Plane, a dimension of spirit, you must have lots of children around... and who knows how much they want to have fun! I would have gladly helped you with this. Children learn better, while they have fun, you know? And even better if you have the whole eternity at your disposal to teach them! Hey! But maybe, after all, I can help you... me and the kid over there, Delvindra, have an hour to kill... Oh, but I'm digressing! Sorry, it happens to me, every now and then... Where was I? Oh, yes, Delvindra! She" the gnome's little finger points to the tiefling "is Delvindra, I was saying! She's with me because, you see, she trains for endurance... She worships Ilmater, you know... But come close, Delvindra, honey! Don't let me say it all myself, come and meet our dear Mr... Mr..." it is then that she realizes that the other probably does not have the gnomic ability to speak while others also speak - the so incredibly useful ability to communicate in parallel which saves gnomes a lot of time but which other species struggle to master - so she remains silent for a moment, fixing her brown eyes, full of anticipation, in those of the other...
At Duwamilly's insistence (because, to Delvindra, everything Milly says seems to carry the air of insistence), she steps cautiously forward with eyes lowered.
"May the blessings of the Broken God strengthen you," she greets him in Celestial.
There's no need to tell really everything... 😉
"No, Young Ones, I am not a noble. I am merely a guardian of this realm," the bear says with a kindly smile. "I am Karael, one of the many Warden Archons who protect this realm from those who would seek to spread evil and corrupt this bastion of light. I see light in both of you... but I also can sense that darkness follows you. Evil seeks to claim you both, and it follows you wherever you go."
He pauses, looking at Delvindra meaningfully.
"This place will welcome and shelter you for a time, but stay no longer than you must."
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Delvindra bows her head, partially out of respect but also out of shame. She knows that she is unworthy to look up on this creature.
"We seek only an hour's solace. If we could be gone sooner, we would. I beg forgiveness for my intrusion and ask that you not judge my companions by the company they keep."
Then, head still lowered, she turns away.
"I'll meet you back down with the others," she says to Duwamilly.
"No way!" Duwamilly grabs Delvindra by the sleeve "Our hour of solace has just begun! And Karael, here hasn't sent you away at all. The evil he feels is probably that of that scamp of Firion (which, as you have rightly observed in other occasions, he is very good at following our moves)".
"You see, Karael," the ex-Preceptor explains to the Archon "Delvindra here is affected by a strong curse, of which she is very ashamed. I also am cursed, but I'm less ashamed. Gnomes are not easily ashamed. But I'm digressing. Sorry about that, it happens every now and then. (Not that I'm ashamed of this). Anyway, point is Delvindra here, because of her curse, sometimes takes on blame that she does not have. But the fact that she is fighting not only against her curse - which we will soon be able to remove - but also against an exalted spellcaster who would like to release into the world a she-dragon even more exalted than him, Sserah 'One Who Sleeps' Nightsbane!"
"Have you ever heard of her? Hey, won't you walk with us a bit?" the gnome cleric gets more and more excited "You could show us some characteristic places nearby and tell us a little about the Warden Archons... I would so love to know more about you! And we could tell you about this she-dragon goddess-wannabe who exalted-scamp-Firion would like to unleash! This is a grave threat to the good of the multiverse, you know? It might be something you're interested in knowing - regardless of what you may or may not do about it. It would be paradoxical in its own way, don't you think, if the only one to help us against this threat was a lich... when in the multiverse there are so many angels dedicated perpetually to the cause of good?"
[[ OOC: If we fear that explaining everything to Karael will become too boring, we can also assume that Duwamilly does it, as far as I'm concerned... Her intentions are those she declared in words: an exchange of courtesies and information with the Archon - the Archon shows us some characteristic places nearby and tells us something about the Warden Archons, while Duwamilly tells him in detail the story she is involved in. As far as I'm concerned, we can handle it either with various dialogue posts or with the DM summarizing what we see/discover and how the Archon reacts. ]]
"Sserah Nightsbane?" the Warden says thoughtfully. "That dark name is one I have not heard in many years... but I have heard it before. Normally I would ask why you would turn to an undead for aid... but if there is a chance Sserah may return, then I cannot fault you for accepting any ally who may have the power to prevent this calamity."
The Celestial is willing to walk with you for a time, explaining that his duty is to guard the various portals into the Seven Heavens and prevent dangerous entities from coming through said portals. Mostly, that means fiends trying in vain to invade this plane that represents everything that the infernal powers despise. He isn't really much of a 'tour guide,' but he is able to answer questions about most things that catch your interest.
When the hour is up, Karael will come with Duwamilly and Delvindra to see the party off (that is to say, he wants to be sure that you mortals and the dark magic that follows you return to where you came from). If anyone else in the party would like to speak to him, he is willing to listen and could possibly be persuaded to help you in some way.
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Well... Duwamilly has explained in the meantime to Karael that the powerful scamp Firion plans to awaken Sserah Nightsbane... and therefore now she specifies that anything the celestial forces can do to counter him will be welcome. But she has no specific requests to make at the moment. However, she will try to exploit any influence acquired over the guardian to support any requests from other Accursed.
[[ OOC: Providing Help, if someone has something specific to ask for ]]
Meanwhile Yasmina has had a most pleasant rest in the soft green grass of Mount Celestia. As Milly and Delvindra returns with the celestial bear, she slowly gets up and greets the celestial with a graceful curtsy and a pleasant smile. Lord Amir too greets the celestial with an acknowledging nod of his proud head. Neither of them has any questions or favours to ask of him though and both are ready to proceed to Captain Fox's ship outside the Shaded Isle.
The Celestial returns the djinni's gesture of respect.
"Take care, young ones... the foes you face are great and terrible indeed. As I am a Warden, my place is here. I regret that I cannot aid you further in preventing the return of this great evil, but I can give you one final parting gift."
The bear produces three spell scrolls of dispel magic, which you can divvy up as you so choose.
And with that, he returns to his duties of protecting Mount Celestia from the forces of evil. You are now free to return to Captain Fox's ship, unless anyone else has anything that they want to say or do.
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"You are truly a dear Archon, Karael!" Duwamilly smiles "We thank you very much for both the company and the gift! Don't worry: you, as Warden, are forced to stay here... but Garl Glittergold is with us! We will manage to prank that scamp Firion! We will be the ones laughing in the end!"
The gnome cleric examines the magical writings... and she realizes she can understand them: "Those are wonderful scrolls, kids!" she exclaims "They can clear hostile magic! Try reading them too..." she tries to pass them to everyone, in order to check who can read them and who can't [[ OOC: Whoever has the spell, Dispel Magic, in their class's spell list can read them ]]. She suggests that anyone who can read them take one (so that more people, in an emergency, can try to use them).
After sharing the scrolls, the ex-Preceptor iscready to get planeshifted by Lord Amir: "Come on kids!" she exhorts the other Accursed "Time to continue our jaunt elsewhere!" when everyone has passed, she greets the celestial-teddy-bear one last time with her little hand, then she also enters.
(Delvindra is surprised to find that she too can read the scrolls, but decides she will only take one if there are any left after the others check.)