The Summit Road Campaign Thread

Kaori coos softly, finally relaxing the tension in her body as the monastery comes into view. She shivers slightly in her cold metal armour, rubbing her hands together to warm them even the slightest bit.

Caelius pulls his coat closer to him, looking up at monastery. His steamy breath stops momentarily as he sees the light from the mountain and he mouths a silent mantra of the Path of Light.

Akuma studies the large monestary and tilts her head in thought, adjusting her own outfit against the cold. She remains quiet for a long moment before nodding, adjusting her stance to push forward through the cold. 

"This was all a very... Interesting? Journey. Best not drop our guard now..." 

Perception for anyone watching us: 7

She frowns and bats away snowflakes that threaten to block her vision, momentarily preventing her focus. 

Wrapped in his matted fur cloak and beast hides to ward off the cold, Druhdaar looks more hirsute than ever as he trudges towards the mountain and its eerie blue light, along with the others. A wave of discouragement hit him as he considered the fight they were part of... 'More like a war', he thought darkly to himself. A war that couldn't be won. Today they'd won a small battle, maybe, by tearing one more soul from the clutches of the Inspired brain-washing machine. This was a new Quori gone over to their side, one that could make a difference, or at least that's what they were being told.

A difference ? How much of a difference would that make, really ? How long would they be able to resist the might of Riedra ? Every effort they made, every sacrifice was just a way to prolong the stalemate.

Stalemate wasn't good enough for the druid: the Inspired and their sick way of life had to be put out of commission, permanently. He shook the thought off with an annoyed grunt. Where would they find such power ? Chances were they would probably simply keep on playing this little game of pawns, being pushed on the sarlonan chessboard by these beings from another dimension, until the game ended... most likely in some random fight, somewhere on the snowy side of a mountain very much like this one.

He didn't mind dying so much. But he needed a better reason to live.

Suddenly, the almost visceral urge to get a large drink was so powerful he could almost taste it. He shivered and clutched his cloak a little tighter, half hoping the kitchen would be open, and half wishing it wouldn't.

The group moves through the snow towards the monastery. As Taran is scouting ahead, he reaches the spires first.

Taran:

As you reach the spires, you are startled as a woman abruptly rises directly from the earth between the two spires. She wears a tunic and leggings, but wraps around her feet rather than shoes, and the same wraps around her hands. Despite this, the cold doesn't seem to be affecting her. Her black hair is in braids back from her face, and her grey eyes are the same color as a stormy sky. She inclines her head to you, hands relaxed at her sides. "Greetings. What brings you and yours to the Haztaratain Monastery?"

Everyone else:

As you're approaching, any thoughts are disturbed by a shout from the top of a cliff face nearby. Two kalashtar men leap down from the cliffs, climbing down them with unnatural speed and smoothness. They are both wearing plain tunics and leggings, and are barefoot despite the cold, but not shivering in the slightest. Within seconds of the shouts, both are in front of you, eyes watching you carefully, although they aren't in fighting positions. One of them steps forward, his dark green eyes pausing on Khova for a moment before he addresses you as a whole. "Greetings. What brings you and yours to the Haztaratain Monastery?"

"Gr-Gr-Greetings, Ma'am," Taran says lowering his crossbow, "W-W-We are G-G-Guides of the R-Road, Tr-Trailblazer Ishhareth sh-should h-have s-s-sent w-w-word we w-w-would b-be ar-arriving, w-w-we have re-recovered the Elan fr-from D-Dar Mirn."

Taran awkwardly fidgets with the string of his crossbow, "U-Um, th-they d-d-didn't g-g-give us a p-passcode th-this time.... S-S-Sorry..."

Vishal answers for everyone else to the men who came down to them, “We’re the group bringing back the Elan. You can see the spirit is still in control for now and we’d like to keep it that way.” He flashes his eyes blue to show that he is a Kalashtar. 

Taran:

The woman nods. "We received warning of your arrival. Remain here while the others of your group catch up." She inclines her head towards your group, currently speaking with two figures a little ways down the mountain.

Everyone Else:

Khova gives a weary wave to the kalashtar.

The men exchange a look before nodding. "Yes," the one in front says. "We received word you would be arriving. Come with us." He turns and begins darting up the mountain, his steps sure and swift, while the other kalashtar moves to the back of the group, turning to keep watch behind you.

"O-Of c-c-course Ma'am," Taran says nodding quickly. A moment later he nervously asks "S-So, n-n-nothing, um, there ar-aren't any n-new d-developments, or-um, I'm s-s-sorry, I d-don't know wh-what to talk about..." 

Vishal looks to everyone else before saying, “Show off.” As the monk takes up the mountain quickly slowly following and catching up to Taran.

Taran:

The woman frowns. "...You will see," is all she says, watching the group ascend the mountain.

Everyone else:

The monks make sure not to outpace you, despite their greater ability to navigate the mountainside. As you draw near the spires, you see Taran and a woman in similar clothes to the two kalashtar with you waiting in between the spires.

Taran gives a small wave to the group as they come into sight.

Caelius returns a big wave as they approach, grinning despite the cold.

You all regather between the two spires, and the three monks lead you up the rest of the way to a cliff face. The woman sets a hand on the cliff face, and the rock draws aside to reveal a tunnel lit by glowing blue crystals studded in the walls. "Normally, this is open and merely disguised with an illusion, but we are under...special circumstances," the woman explains grimly. Once everyone is inside, she lays a hand on the tunnel wall, and the entrance closes behind you. "Come, it will be explained shortly."

They lead you through the tunnel and stop outside a simple conference room. Inside, sitting at the table and tapping her fingers on the table is Ranari, face deadly serious. Next to her is an elan with gold eyes and a glaive across his back, sharpening a dagger.

"Come in," Ranari says calmly. "Khova, welcome to Adar. I apologize that it is under such unusual circumstances, but we will get you into a session with a skilled psychic to get your host under control as quickly as possible. First though, you might as well take a seat. I'll take a full debrief in a moment, but let's start with the thing you all likely want to know, which is why things are so off here." She sighs. "As of three days ago, the Haztaratain Monastery has been compromised. Something is hunting the monks at night, both physically and in their dreams. Seven monks have been affected by nightmares that dealt some very real damage to their minds, and three are dead, one each night. They're not sure what's doing this, only that it's smart, sneaky, and very good at getting around. The monastery has been on lockdown for the last couple days, but they're still no closer to finding the killer. I'm not actually here, this is a psychic projection with help from a psion here at the Keep. This is Shen," she indicates the gold-eyes elan beside her. "And you've met Bhimaani." The woman Taran met at the spires inclines her head. "Bhimaani is a highly trained Haztaratain, and Shen is a primary part of security for the monastery. Should you elect to get involved with this, they'll be who you work with."

"O-Of c-c-course." Taran says immediately, then backs down, "Th-though, I-I d-d-don't kn-know what use I-I'll be, c-c-compared to highly tr-trained monks of the m-m-monastery, but wh-whatever I c-c-can d-d-do to help, I-I will."

Vishal chuckles and says, “Our work is never done. And Taran. I think we’ll be of use in the same way we’ve always been of use. We’re fresh new faces who aren’t from around here and in this instance, will make attractive targets as we’d be suspected to not have as good of a guard up right now as opposed to everyone else.” 

"My sword ... Is yours." Kaori bows her head towards Ranari. "Whatever is ... needed."

Akuma raises an eyebrow, looking over everyone from head to toe before her eyes stop on Shen. "Sure. Why not? I have nothing else I need to do." She crosses her arms and mutters softly to herself in a calm language. "Son hwup sut oo eam un tho slinnslianm either~"

Celestial:

Caelius nods in agreement with the rest of the group, looking very concerned.

Ranari nods. "I thought you might have that opinion. Then I'll turn things over to Bhimaani and Shen as soon as you give me your debrief. How'd the mission go?"