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#Post#: 1136--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Karnea Master of the Black Robe vol. I Story Three: Power
Moves
By: Dungeon Master Date: May 11, 2025, 1:17 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Karnea, Master of the Black Robe
vol. I
Story Three: Power Moves
Chapter One: The Gift
Part One Answers
Karnea created AE 1992[/center]
Twelfthmonth, 423 AC
Southern Ansalon
Plains of Dust
Lord City of Tarsis
Just after Dawn,
A thin dusting of newly fallen snow coats the ground in this
region, and a bitter wind blows up from the Icewall to greet the
Master of the Black Robe when she materializes with two others
just outside of Tarsis. Master Karnea has brought Lady Selene,
her majordomo, and her Elian bodyguard, Eris, with her on this
trip.
The wizard’s robes billow around them in the wind as they walk
the Tarsis streets to their destination, the Academy of the
Black Arts. Overhead, up on the rooftops of the old city,
red-robed agents of the Highmage are on the lookout for anything
amiss or out of place. The trio walks the empty streets of the
old city until they reach the burned-out headmaster’s office and
find others waiting.
It is an unusual occurrence to bring the three Masters of High
Sorcery together anywhere outside the Towers of Magic, but this
incident has done exactly that, as Karnea’s trio sees the white
and red Masters have already arrived and are waiting just
outside the burned-out office of the Headmaster of the Academy.
The Highmage of High Sorcery Jenna becomes aware of the visitors
and says, “Master Karnea, I am glad you could join us this
morning.” Accompanying Jenna is a wizard Karnea is already very
well acquainted with, as is Master Madon, the red robe currently
serving the Blood Sea Tower as the red robes’ representative.
The white robe Master is here as well, along with Hiram, an
older white robe, from the before times (Before the Summer of
Flame). He is just under medium height, with a medium build, a
shaved head, and wears a skullcap. Karnea marks him as Coryn’s
chief agent.
The investigation here reports that the office of the headmaster
is where the fire started. Headmaster Raina lies dead in a
frozen state of decomposition on the charred floor. There is
bruising on her neck, possibly indicating she was choked from
behind. There is a cream that has been used to hide the
bruising, at least to an initial examination.
Wizards loyal to Highmage Jenna have checked out the Academy and
the surrounding areas, both manually and using spellwork to
glean its secrets for any traps left for them.
Master Karnea of the Black Robe looks down at her former
student. She had such high hopes and aspirations for this little
one. She tells the other masters and all present to leave the
office while she prepares to cast the spells: “You may return to
review my questioning once my spells have been cast.”
Once everyone has departed the area, Karnea lowers herself to
her knees and pulls from one of her many arcane pouches the
material components for this spell.
Master Karnea motions in the somatic gestures and begins casting
the necromantic incantation, “Mati Dar Sharcum pas edistus
Keawetan”. A bit of flint and steel are struck together and
destroyed as the incantation is completed.
Color returns to the corpse. It stirs, and there is a huge
intake of air and a long gasp. Her arms stretch out and go to
her throat, and she starts yelling “Noooo!”, relieving her last
moments of life, fighting to stay alive… She looks around her
office and sees that Master Karnea is on her knees, mere feet
from her. Raina backs up to the wall as she feels immense shame
and guilt for her actions.
Karnea rises and calls everyone back into the room.
Soon, everyone is gathered around behind Kanrea, ready to
witness the questioning.
Karnea Q: “How did you become his?”
Raina A: “I had been looking around my lover’s home when I
uncovered a book. Raina checked it magically first and it showed
nothing, but when she opened the book, and read through a few
pages, he took over.”
Karnea Q: “What did you do in his name?”
Raina A: She used her alchemy skills and his know-how to develop
a gas and sent it into Skullcap, which allowed her into Skullcap
and got past the dark wizard Dalamar and his apprentice, Nalis,
to retrieve the Bloodstone and escape back to Tarsis.
Raina was given and used a charm that protected her from Cypress
Forest’s powers. The Tower opened to her, recognizing that
within her was the Master of Past and Present. She absconds with
the spellbooks of the two greatest wizards from across the ages.
Karnea Q: Where are the spellbooks now?
Raina A: Someone entered the headmaster’s study and choked me to
death; he took the spellbooks and the Bloodstone and started the
fire to cover his tracks.
Raina turns to look at Karnea and those assembled, especially at
the Highmage Jenna and Mistress Coryn. Raina says, “Using me was
useful to him, for many reasons. He told me I was his red
herring while he was off, advancing his cause. He knew you three
would come. He said: “Who could bring the three masters of high
sorcery out in the open, away from the safe confines of their
Towers but me?
The Three Masters look to one another with the same thought.
A hidden skull rises in another room and hovers into the
headmaster’s office. The skull rises to eye level with the
Master's. It has been painstakingly covered in etched magical
runes and ancient symbols that glow when activated. It becomes
active, and its Gems for Eyes begin rotating, mesmerizing
everyone viewing it. It opens its jaws, and a green light takes
form, and it holds nearly everyone in thrall.
All except Karnea and Selene, though they are not completely
free of the effects, it is lessened because of two separate
factors. For Karnea, her Arcane Glasses protect against normal
magic, but this is extraordinarily powerful old magic. For
Selene, it is much of the same, but she is an elf and cannot be
enchanted, and yet she is barely enduring the effects.
Karnea is about to put an end to this… when she begins to notice
that the shadows begin to dominate the light in the room. She
can feel the magic pulsing around her. Karnea feels the scene
shifting; she is still in the headmaster’s office, but now
strands of oppressive tenebrous gloom envelop and bathe the
scene in darkness.
The Master of the Black Robe finds herself in the Realm of
Shadow…
#Post#: 1137--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Karnea Master of the Black Robe vol. I Story Three: Power
Moves Chapter One: The Gift Part Two
By: Dungeon Master Date: May 11, 2025, 1:19 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Karnea, Master of the Black Robe
vol. I
Story Three: Power Moves
Chapter One: The Gift
Part Two: The Dark One
The Dark One was created by Margaret Weis & Tracy
Hickman[/center]
The Shadowfell Dimension
Karnea is still seemingly in Tarsis, but she is in the shadow
side where everything is in darkness, though it is just after
dawn on the material plane. Karnea is now in the land of Shadow.
She can see voracious shadow creatures all around them, just
pacing, as none can enter a magical perimeter that has already
been drawn herself and a lone figure shrouded in the darkness.
His aura around the figure is of a tall, thin man wearing a
black robe. His face is completely in shadow as his hood is
drawn up. The only visible feature is his long, iron-grey,
pointed beard appearing out of the darkness. She can feel his
entropic coldness emanating from him. This is him.
The Tall Wizard speaks; his voice is that of an old-fashioned,
educated gentleman. At times, Karnea can swear she can see a
twinkle in the darkness where the eyes are located at times.
“Ever since Raina and I became so close and I came to learn so
much about you, I knew I had to make your acquaintance. When
this situation arose, I knew you would come, I decided to press
my advantage and arrange a scenario in which we might meet.”
Karnea takes in her new situation and dryly deadpans, “But I
thought it was said that you only preferred young men…”
The tall man’s hood tilts slightly, and he is quiet for a moment
before a small chuckle emanates from within the dark recesses.
“Oh, I still do my dear, but I have not brought you here for
that… no. I have something else in mind entirely.” He pauses,
then continues, “It is so rare to find someone actually worth my
time and attention. I merely wish to clear the air between us so
that we may discuss terms.”
“Clear the air … you are talking about Raina being one my former
students.” Karnea answers, making sure they are talking about
the same thing.
“Quite. Indeed, Raina was a very smart girl, she was very loyal
to you to the end you should know. She just bit off more than
she could chew once she opened my book, she found there was
nothing she could do to fight my dominant spirit. She was able
to go places my war wizard could not.”
“You see, during the dark years without high sorcery, I had but
one goal that was to possess Palin Majere, but upon reflection,
I found him to be a shadow of his former self and not of any use
to me.
“Once I learned of the One God, imagine my total lack of
surprise when it turned out to be Takhisis. Well, I went
underground and hoped she would not notice my resurrection.
Once the Dragon Queen was “dead”, I later found a promising
candidate in a renowned war wizard who valued and maintained his
privacy in a secure chantry in the old city quarter in Tarsis.
Poor Raina had become “acquainted” with the war wizard, and it
was by happenstance that she came across my book at his dwelling
place and was possessed by it. It was incidental that she was
yours and not a personally targeted casualty. I have calculated
that you may feel the need to take offense at my using and
ending her in the manner that I did.
Karnea nods. Karnea has come to recognize that Raina was way out
of her league and mostly blameless, as she was offered no reward
and was possessed. “I’m willing to accept your explanation and
consider the matter closed for my part.
“Good, I am glad to hear that.” Fistandantilus begins his pitch,
“I tend to believe we can continue to co-exist without cross
purposes. My interests have shifted since the one who plagued me
for so long is dead. Hard to believe, but it’s true, the Queen
of Darkness is dead.
How final…
How anticlimactic.
I have seen my mistakes and have decided to reevaluate my life
goals. Fortunately for me, you have obtained what has so long
eluded me . . . A viable way beyond this sphere.
I propose an armistice with a proposition I wish to make. Your
gate in Flotsam, I want open access, to and from the beyond.”
The Master of the Black Robe is caught almost completely off
guard and expels her breath and begins to shake her head.
Whatever Karnea believed the old, decrypted wizard was going to
say, it had nothing to do with the portal in Flotsam. The Master
of the Black Robe recovers and nearly scoffs at the brass on
this one. “That’s…that.”
The Dark One can see her hesitation and helpfully suggests the
price. A personally assured non-aggression pact, and he proposes
an agreement of non-interference in the internal matters of the
Wizard Orders of High Sorcery.
Karnea begins to calculate in her head the amount of damage this
one man could cause across Krynn if an agreement cannot be
reached. Her mind starts searching for weak spots he might go
for, and it is not long before she considers the powder keg just
waiting to go off in the City of Lost Names and has no doubt
that Fistandantilus has already factored this into a strategy to
use it as a lever if things go bad at these negotiations. Karnea
gives a glance above, in hopes she will receive a sign from her
Dark God.
Karnea suddenly feels the presence of Nuitari, and Karnea looks
at the Dark One and agrees with his proposition, but she makes
the Dark One aware that the Conclave rightly considers him a
Renegade Wizard, and it will be every wizard’s duty to do him
harm if he makes his presence known.
There is something of a smile under his long, iron-grey pointed
beard, “Should I expect a visit from the Black Robe Hunters on
your orders?”
“Let us be realistic; we both know that it would be a waste of
resources. We may have a non-aggression pact, but as far as the
Conclave knows, this meeting never happened.”
Fistandantilus considers this and pushes on with his one caveat.
“It is known to me that you possess a God-tier divining relic.
If you should feel the urge to look in on me, I will know, and I
will not be pleased. I will take offense to any intrusion.”
Karnea smiles, “Whatever you do off of Krynn is not our affair.
But if you are on Krynn, rest assured we will drop in a take a
look from time to time.”
The Dark One is not pleased by this. he lowers his head
momentarily, considering, but accepts her words, looks at her,
and lets her know, "That gives me leave to continue my
observations from time to time of my own. I require that you do
not let your intrusions become meddlesome with my work.”
Karnea nods, understanding his meaning. She has no desire to
appear overly intrusive; the threat is enough.
Fistandantilus tells Karnea that since there was nothing he
could give the Master of the Black Robe that she would trust,
the Dark One reveals his “gift” he will present her is the gift
of life. The lives of the Masters of the Inner Council. He
provides her with the magic words necessary to disable the
enspelled skull that is primed to detonate in the office of the
headmaster.
Karnea had wondered if there was an explosive element tied to
the enspelled skull. She thanks him for his thoughtful “gift”.
He nods and tells Karnea, “I will be in touch,” and the shadow
world falls away as streams of light unfold, and Karnea feels
the planeshift in effect. Karnea returns to the material plane
and “reappears” inside the headmaster’s office. She speaks the
spidery words of magic, and the skull’s enchantment ends, and
the skull drops harmlessly onto the headmaster’s desk in a clunk
and falls onto the floor.
A group of very confused Wizards of High Sorcery comes out of
their collective enchantment and has questions.
Karnea directs her girls to be ready to depart and tells them to
say nothing of their experience or what they might have seen.
The Master of the Black Robe tells the Masters that they should
return to Wayreth and review what they have learned. Coryn and
Jenna are skeptical, but Karnea tells them today is a gift, “We
should go back to Wayreth and discuss our important matters in
public no longer. Coming here was a mistake; it put all of our
lives in danger. For now, that has passed, but we must treat
this as an important warning to us and all our future endeavors.
Western Ansalon
Wayreth Tower of High Sorcery
The Highmage and the Master of the White Robe will not let the
matter rest, and while Karnea manipulates the narrative, “The
Dark One left a trap for us that I was able to disable, and free
you from being enthralled.” She intentionally fails to mention
how close they came to being snuffed out of existence.
The subject turns to Analis and the City of Lost Names. They
cover anything that was not construed in Karnea’s message from
last night. Karnea relates some insights she has thought about
since returning. She was encouraged by Analis’s submission; the
situation has the potential to become a powder keg on the verge
of blowing up at any moment. And yet, there are things there
that we should be guarding and investigating.
Analis has found the Anvil of Time and has been defending from
being abused until now. Karnea tells the Highmage and Coryn of
her Terms. She has done her part, it is for the red robes and
the white robes to process them and shepherd them back, my
hunters will stand by and take any that wishes to come with us
if there is trouble, and you can count on it that there will be.
The Hunters will be there to assist the other Wizards.
The three masters agree to talk again before the next Conclave,
before Jenna ends things, Karnea puts forth guidelines they
should follow going forward.
No more meetings outside of a Tower anywhere. We will have to
trust our agents to carry out our will. Karnea tells them that
she will be remaining at the Tower more often going forward.
Coryn and the Highmaster agree this might be for the best.
With that, the talks are at an end, the Master of the Black Robe
meets back with Selene and Eris, and Karnea teleports them back
to the island.
Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea of Istar
Karnea and Selene enter the Tower and separate when Karnea sets
her about on her errands.
A short time later, Selene returns with a letter addressed to
Master Karnea from Willim the Black. Selene hands the letter to
Karnea and informs her there is more: “I have had word from
Basalt Dead-Eye that Willim the Black has killed two Theiwar
Dwarves at the Dwarf Ghetto last night.”
Karnea opens the letter and reads down-
Willim thanks her for the opportunity and the trust she gave
him. He wishes he could stay longer, but he has had something
planned for a large part of his life, when he was tortured and
imprisoned, and they took his eyes. He says he is letting her
off the hook from Karnea agreeing to accompany him to Thorbardin
and helping him slay all of his enemies. He has decided that it
is he who will be taking the satisfaction all for himself and
tells her farewell, and signs it, the Wizard-Thane.
Karnea is unclear how to feel about this…but it does make her
want to reach out to the dwarf ghetto and make contact with the
Thiewar. They are a group she would rather keep them close than
leave to stew over this injustice and injury.
Karnea has a late lunch with Aravis.
Karnea sipped at her wine as Aravis told her about Lucius’
abduction and subsequent rescue. She had already heard Selene’s
report but was curious to find out how different Aravis’s
telling would be. In this particular case, there were only very
minor discrepancies, hardly worth mentioning.
“And what about your trip?” Aravis prodded. “You don’t appear to
have suffered any injuries, so I can assume that things went ok
with Analis and Morgan?”
Karnea waved her left hand dismissively. “As it happens, the
entire situation with Analis was completely overblown,” Karnea
said. That she was grossly lying about the meeting with her
former apprentice did not show on her face or come through in
her voice.
“Analis wanted no part in what would have been a losing battle
for herself and her followers. The vast majority of her people
are even now planning on turning themselves in at Wayreth for
reintegration into the Conclave and High Sorcery. Those few who
disagree have been informed of the consequences and are
retreating into exile, far from Ansalon. The matter is settled,
and Jenna has been informed of the successful resolution of the
problem.”
Aravis raised an eyebrow, not quite believing the simple, neat
resolution her mother described, but unwilling to challenge her
account. “I’m relieved that you were able to resolve the issue
so handily,” she says, almost without sarcasm.
Karnea ignored her daughter’s impertinence. “The Conclave will
have to send a triad to watch over an artifact Analis was
sitting on, as well. Certainly, this will stress the already
thin rosters of the Orders, at least for a time,” Karnea said.
“As for Dalamar,” she began, “it is better that he remains as
Wayreth. He and Jenna have always been a bit too cozy, I think,
and this way he will have no opportunity to spy on me for her.”
Hours later,
Karnea’s pageboy comes to the half-elf’s door and knocks. The
dark wizard Ceale comes to the door with a stern look on his
face. The page hands him a note and walks away. Ceale unfolds
the note and reads. It is from Master Karnea. He is being
summoned to the master’s study. A chill runs through him, and he
shuts his door and makes his way to the master’s study.
Soon, Ceale arrives at her study, and before he can knock,
Karnea’s voice in his head tells him to come in. He enters and
sees the Master sitting across the vallenwood table. Karnea has
him sit in the chair across from her. Karnea thanks him for his
actions while she was away. “Both Selene and my daughter have
extolled your actions in getting the crown prince back from his
abduction. As such, if you will come around the table, I extend
this scroll to you as a gift of appreciation for your loyalty.”
Karnea gifts him with a spell from her library. The spell
Grimwald’s Graymantle, A spell Karnea picked up during her
travels in Torbil and adapted for its use on Krynn. The half-elf
thanks the Master of the Black Robe, and he is dismissed, and he
exists in her study. Karnea calls for her page, who appears
after a couple of moments, and Karnea tells him to see if
Azura’s light is on; if it is, bring her up to me.
Azura comes to her study, and Karnea bids her apprentice to
enter and take a seat. Karnea explains she is planning to limit
her excursions away from the Tower.
“Before I left, I told you I would like you to take on more
responsibilities for the operations of the Tower. Now that I am
back, I can tell you. I want you to shadow Selene when you are
not teaching the pages and their lessons for the day. I want you
to learn how and why she does what she does for the operation of
this tower. There is no other way to say it, but Selene has
proved to be natural at doing what she is doing. You would do
well to learn from her over the coming months and years."
Later that night,
Karnea sits by herself in her study for a while and fixes some
tea, then sits in her chair and thinks about her experiences
today and the implications of what it might mean for the
future...
#Post#: 1298--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Karnea Master of the Black Robe vol. I Story Three: Power
Moves Chapter Two: Secrets Uncovered Part One
By: Dungeon Master Date: January 4, 2026, 12:14 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Karnea, Master of the Black Robe
vol. I
Story Three: Power Moves
Chapter Two: Secrets Uncovered
Part One: Arrival of the Spymaster
Palainess Darkhammer was created by DCR 1992[/center]
Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea of Istar
Tower of Blood Sea
After a couple of days, early one morning, Karnea wakes and
feels more like herself than in a long while. Her trip to the
Northern Wastes ended up taking a lot more out of her than she
thought. A question has been dwelling on her mind: How exactly
did the Dark One know about the portal in the first place?
Karnea contemplates the matter further as she bathes, dresses,
and walks to the gardens, where she joins Selene and Aravis for
breakfast. Karnea keeps coming back to the idea that he must
have been invisible and observing, or he was scrying and came
across her comings and goings. He’s not stupid. Even the Mayor
of Flotsam knows something about it.
Karnea tables this thought and sits down with Selene. Karnea
takes a sip of black kefre before anything else is said to her.
Selene knows better. After a few moments, Karnea tells Selene,
“Okay, let me have it.”
“The vigil for prince Lucius’s ship continues. They have had to
control the weather to deter minotaur raiders from giving
pursuit. They are nearly past and beyond most their magical
influence. They can still watch out for him.”
Karnea looks over to Aravis to see how she is taking it, but
Karnea is surprised to find her seeming to be unconcerned, which
briefly confuses Karnea until she remembers that Aravis did not
really want him to go in the first place. Yet if Karnea goes
looking for her later, she will most likely be found in the
Chamber of Seeing, watching out for him.
Over breakfast, Selene slides over a couple of papers she wants
Karnea to review, while she starts her updates that require
Karnea’s attention. As to the papers, Selene says these cannot
be put off any longer. The upcoming Gathering is the Solstice,
Invitations are being sent out, and Selene is having Karnea
choose who is invited to the dinner held the night before. It is
something of a tradition Karnea has initiated to spotlight any
potential rising stars that have real potential, as well as
identify any potential enemies Karnea needs to look out for.
Karnea looks over the list of black-robe order members. Selene
has helpfully circled ones that Karnea should look closer at,
and crossed out some attendees from the last dinner, to keep
things fresh. Karnea looks over the list closely and makes her
selections, and hands over her choices and her decisions on the
meal choices for the dinner for that night. The invitations go
out later that night.
Moving on to other business,
Three new appointments made by the Conclave, in consultation
with Karnea, have been ratified. These are the best selections,
absent Darius Desaad in Northern Ergoth, but his ascension to
the Conclave has given him as much as he can handle at the
moment.
The Appointments-
Romero Vane -new black-robe representative of the triumvirate in
Gwynned, taking up the role after the aforementioned Darius
Desaad stepped down from the role.
Marius of Palanthas -new black-robe representative of the
triumvirate in Palanthas
Sirene, black robe of Abanasinia, half-elf female, has been
chosen to take Willim the Black’s place in the Conclave.
Selene offers her own reservations about this as it might come
as a slight to the Theiwar, something Karnea considers anew.
Karnea tells her she will elevate Basalt in a few years and give
them other concessions in the meantime, but tells Selene, "Good
catch, good thinking. In fact, put down Basalt in the itinerary
for tomorrow afternoon. I want him to go down there and come
back with some answers as to who would be worth talking to down
there." Selene writes it down in her itinerary book. Selene
opens it back to today’s date and consults today’s folder.
Today’s agenda,
Selene passes over a message from the Artificer, Asher the
younger Crane. Karnea opens it and reads the message: The
teleportation Chamber is in working order again. This pleases
Karnea, as she has read about the chambers of transportation and
destination being present in the towers before, and she has been
wondering if the chambers are still present in the remaining
towers of high sorcery in Wayreth and Nightlund. She writes down
a note to check this lead out.
Once the Gathering business and morning mail are out of the way,
Karnea explains to Selene and Aravis that she has decided she
really is going to limit her exposure going forward. “I am going
to require agents to serve the business of the order. We are
going to have to decide who those are and if they are available
to be used by me for my purposes.”
Selene offers to do anything Karnea requires. Karnea just pats
her arm and says, “I know, but you are too valuable to be wasted
for menial purposes. Be assured, you serve many vital roles for
me already, I am thinking of Kalana, and what we can use her
for.”
Selene nods. She knows Karnea has been keeping Kalana to the
side for all this time, but now Kalana will finally know what is
in store for her. “Though I do not want to speak ill of my
sister, may I suggest a cautionary note about Kalana. Master?
Keep her on a tight leash, you really don’t want her to let this
new power go to her head. Handing her unrestrained power should
be checked and watched to make sure it is not used to excess. I
am not saying it will be, but I have known her for a long time,
she has been known to overstep the mark more than a time or
two.”
A page comes running down the stairs and comes first to Selene,
and then sees Karnea and brings the message to Karnea instead.
Karnea opens the message, which is from the harbormaster; It
would seem to be one of your old friends. One, Palainess
Darkhammer has just docked. He wants to meet you when you have
the time for him.
Karnea reads down and is pleased. She has been eagerly awaiting
his arrival; she looks up at the girls and encourages them both
to finish their breakfast with her. Selene confirms to Karnea
that she intends to pick up Aravis’s robes in Palanthas later
today. Karnea thanks her, as that matter had fallen from her
mind. Karnea asks her if she can first “Go down to the docked
ship and direct Palainess Darkhammer, and company to the
Hunter’s Moon, I will meet you there presently."
Selene nods, stands, picks up her tray, and departs down the
central stairwell.
Selene soon enters the Hunter’s Moon with Palainess, and the
other follow behind. Karnea is already inside. Eris stands to
her left.
Karnea and Palainess banter for a few moments, then he
introduces everyone to Karnea, Master of the Tower. Karnea tells
them to tend the bar and help themselves with some drinks while
Karnea and Palainess talk.
Karnea sits with Palainess, and they quietly have a discussion
concerning the network he has been setting up since she first
contacted him two years ago. He goes through the list of places,
across Abanasinia, Solamnia, and parts of Taman Busuk. He goes
through the list of places he has covered. Karnea tells
Palainess she wants people in “Neraka and the Silvanesti
border.”
Palainess winces, just a little bit, and says Neraka is doable,
just dangerous at the moment. Lots of mentalists from the
Knights of the Skull, I have not figured out how to counter
their newfound abilities.
Karnea considers the issue. It is something she has not come
across yet. Mentalism huh? She asks if this is a known Mystic
power?
Palainess nods, “I’m afraid so, they can be very dangerous.” He
took a sip from the beer that was brought to the table for him.
“The Silvanesti Border… I’m told that is a no man’s land, the
Minotaurs have been hyper vigilant to completely control the
border. There are some towns in the eastern Plains of Dust that
might serve as the closest we are going to get, for the time
being, anyway. Maybe Kern…” Palainess looks over at the
Half-Ogre that is enjoying a beer, “I don’t know if he has it in
him to do what we would need him to do. I will try to insert
someone in. Just so you know, it will be dangerous.”
“Yes, I will do some thinking about it and come up with a way
to help in that endeavor.” Karnea answers
Palainess hands over a manifest of those present. Most of them
are fighters, some sell swords, there are some bounty hunters,
and a couple of fighter/thieves. Karnea can already see what she
wants to put some of these with the hunters, especially the
bounty hunters, would work well together.
The Manifest
Borin Stonehammer, Engineer, Male Dwarf from Kayolin
Garrion Man-At-Arms, Former City Guard Captain from Caergoth
The Crossbowmen
Dak Crossbowman Scavenger Kapak Draconian
Eldrin Crossbowman from Thelgaard, Solamnia
Caelan Crossbowman from Tarsis
Jorek Fighter Male from Abanasinia
Telara Fighter Female from Abanasinia
Alder Fighter from Abanasinia
Kaimana Shadeclaw Mercenary from Nordmaar
Khor Barbarian 7’1” from Estwilde
The Sellswords
Kane Sell-Sword of Nordmaar-Black-skinned swordsman, very good
at what he does
Liza Sell-Sword Female from Tarsis
Vyric Sell-Sword A gifted male swordsman with fine tastes, from
Tarsis
The Rogues
Grel Fighter/Thief/Bodyguard -Half-Ogre from Blöde
The Bounty Hunters
Quinn Bounty Hunter from Kalaman
Creel Bounty Hunter from Flotsam
Zalla Bounty Hunter Female Half-Elf from Maelgoth, Solamnia
The Killers
Cray Cutthroat Assassin from Thelgaard. Currently wanted on the
mainland.
Serina Thief-Assassin Female cutthroat from Lemish. Has a hidden
toughness Thief-Assassin
Karnea tells the old Dwarf that he did well with this assortment
of enforcers. Selene and Eris work the room situation; several
are going to have to double up. Selene decides the girls will
double up until new accommodations are made. Karnea okays a
residence to be opened up temporarily for the overflow until
assignments are made. Karnea looks to Selene, who nods and says,
“Do not approach the Tower for any reason; do not approach the
Olive Grove. It is enspelled, and you will never make it to the
Tower. If you are called to escort duty, report to the East
Gate, the gate closest to the Three Moons. Tomorrow, I will post
the assignments Master Karnea has decided for you. Eris and
Talron have been here the longest and can answer most of your
questions, well, Eris can, Talron is on a mission right now.”
Selene looks back at Karnea, who gives a slight nod toward
Palainess.
“All financial questions should be taken up with Palainess,
going forward.” And with that, Selene steps back to stand next
to Karnea, who nods to Selene, who departs and makes sure
everyone has living space and returns to her Master and
Palainess.
Karnea tells her she can depart to Palanthas, and Selene bows
and departs.
Karnea and Palainess have a drink together. She calls Eris over
and tells her to have a seat. “I know this is going to be
strange, but right now you have more experience with the
operations here, which will be vital to Palainess, who is going
to take over the Hunter’s Moon Operations from here on. Eris,
you will assist Palainess but will still be primarily Aravis and
my bodyguard.” She makes sure Palainess knows the bond that has
formed. The old dwarf nods and shakes Eris’s hand, and Palainess
opens his account book and writes her name into the book as
well. Karnea tells Palainess he can reach Karnea through the
messenger hawks; it’s the best we have right now. Karnea informs
Palainess of the operation she has running in Flotsaem, in
regard to the Rookery being operated by a former student, and it
will be a good funneling point. Palainess writes this fact down
in a book to keep these facts right.
Karnea waits until the Dwarf is ready, then begins, “Her Name is
Vorena Blackwood, she has been keeping an eye on things in
Flotsam, all messages come through her before they are sent
over. She has also hired thugs to watch over a special site that
I am going to want around-the-clock surveillance, and security.
I am going to want you to run point on dealing with the
illustrious mayor of Flotsam and keep him off my back until I am
good and ready to deal with him.”
Palainess is writing all of this down, and puts his head up and
asks the mayor’s name.
Karnea tells him, “Lord mayor Toade…yes, that Toade.”
Palainess stares at Karnea and says, “No ****?”
Karnea nods and says, “The same. The plaything of devils. I’m
told when he is killed, he comes back to life a time later,
almost instantaneously.”
Palainess says, “No ****?”
“I am going to assign a black robe to facilitate your transport,
until I get a device that can be recharged and constructed, it
is on the list. I will want to meet that one,” she nods her
head, indicating to the Man-at-Arms.
Palainess looks over to the direction she was looking at and
sees the Man-at-Arms sitting by himself. “That’s Garrion, former
captain of the Guard in Caeregoth. I brought him because he was
unjustly relieved of his duties. He can lead the defense of your
walls and run your security on the island. Pay him well, and he
will be yours, and he will defend your Island.
Karnea looks at him in a new light. He is ruggedly handsome,
appears capable, and has a serious countenance. Karnea agrees he
looks like he could do the task, “I want to interview him, make
sure.
Once business with Palainess is settled for now, Karnea travels
back to the Tower, her mind racing with the many possibilities.
She decides she will meet several key figures in the coming
days.
She decides who those figures are going to be. For one, this
former Captain Garrion, the man-at-arms and former city guard
from Caergoth, might be of use keeping order of the civilian
side of the island, but she wants to make sure he is her
creature and no one else’s.
For another, this Borin Stonehammer, the Engineer Dwarf from
Kayolin. She would like water collection on the island to be a
priority now. Wind traps and drainage collection barrels. The
water can be reused if filtered with rocks and filters and
boiled. It can also be used in case a fire breaks out in the
city.
Among the fighters, only Khor, the 7’1” Barbarian from Estwilde,
really caught her attention. He could effectively be used for
protection and intimidation purposes.
The sellswords present something else altogether, everyone may
be blooded, but these are veterans, and probably worth every bit
of coin they are going for. Karnea plans to deploy these with
planned precision.
There was Kane, the Sell-Sword of Nordmaar-Black skinned
swordsman. The note in the manifest next to his name said: Very
good at what he does. Along with the two from Tarsis, Liza, and
Vyric
The Rogue, Grel Fighter/Thief/Bodyguard. The Half-Ogre from
Blöde stands out as well. Karnea is not sure how she will use
him yet. Depends on Palainess’s word if he is completely
trustworthy or not. Like the Barbarian, he might well be
deployed for muscle and intimidation purposes. Might turn out to
be a good asset, but she does not think she has worked with a
Half-Ogre before, but it might be worth the effort in the long
run.
The Bounty Hunters present interesting options. Some of these
might be lent to the Renegade Hunters. And one or two of these
Karnea might use for special purposes. Of the three, she wants
to keep Zalla, the Half-Elf from Maelgoth, Solamnia. She might
have some insights into the history of the city and its relation
to its acceptance of Magic. Creel from Flotsam might be good for
procurement around the city of Flotsam for her. The one from
Kalaman, Quinn, might be useful to use when Aravis goes to
Nightlund.
Karnea sighs as she enters the tower and looks around. Nobody is
around on the first floor. This influx of muscle reminds Karnea
that she has collections coming up, and Karnea makes a mental
note to prepare for that upcoming journey. She also makes a note
to alert Shaw (Orin) that his wish to visit the Market will
happen soon.
Karnea toys with the idea of bringing someone in, someone that
won’t get lost in Sigil, and use them as her personal collection
agent. It puts a lot of faith in someone, but the experience
with the Dark One makes her see her vulnerabilities and weak
points. This might be a way to minimize her exposure.
It is not long before Karnea thinks of Talia, her friend from
what seems to be forever ago; she hopes she will get to see her
this time. She imagines just for a few moments of her coming
here… even once. Karnea decides she will ask if it is possible,
even for a short visit.
Karnea awaits Selene’s return and Kalana’s arrival. She thinks
about what Selene offered earlier and has been considering the
situation. She is sure Selene is not far off in her estimation
and may bear observing from time to time to make sure all is as
it should be. Karnea decides to give Kalana enough rope to hang
herself, and hopefully Karnea can break Kalana from overstepping
the mark and allow things to go into excess.
[center]End of Part One of Three
Look for these to arrive soon[/center]
#Post#: 1346--------------------------------------------------
423 AC Karnea Master of the Black Robe vol. I Story Three: Power
Moves Chapter Two: Secrets Uncovered Part II
By: Dungeon Master Date: March 31, 2026, 10:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Karnea Master of the Black Robe
vol. I
Story Three: Power Moves
Chapter Two: Secrets Uncovered
Part II
The Conspirators are Revealed [/center]
Tower of Blood Sea
A Short time later, the same day~
Selene returns to the Island and sees that Kalana has arrived.
Selene leads Kalana through the grove.
Kalana Hiewind and Vorena Blackwood were the first to come to
Master Karnea on this island in the middle of the Blood Sea.
Master Karnea had sent Kalana back to Gwynned, where Kalana had
made a life for herself, but Kalana knew it was only a matter of
time before she was chosen to become more involved. It burns
Kalana that Selene has returned to the service of Karnea and
gained such incredible access to Master Karnea, just like it was
before. Kalana does not know how much of Selene she can take
before it gets too much to bear. Kalana has complicated feelings
for Selene.
At first, it was thought that she was going to take over for
Raina as headmistress after her death at the Academy of the Dark
Arts, but it would seem Master Karnea has other plans for her.
Selene tells Kalana to take a room at the Tower. Kalana finds
herself on the nineteenth floor, taking a room on Selene’s
floor. Just Great.
Selene leads Kalana around the floor to the next door, and
Selene opens the door, and they walk through the space that is
to be Kalana’s laboratory at the Tower of Blood Sea. Kalana
decides she will go back to Gwynned and retrieve her glassware
and bring her personal touch from her chantry in Northern
Ergoth. She will carry that out shortly as Selene tells Kalana
that Master Karnea will want to see her and that she should wait
for Master Karnea’s summons.
Some time passes,
The Door shuts as Karnea’s page leaves on a mission. Karnea sat
in her study, going over letters and papers, catching up after
the nearly disastrous trip to Tarsis to meet Jenna and Coryn.
Most of what she had in front of her was routine business that
Selene had already quite ably handled. She looked over a list of
the members of the Black Robes who would be attending the
upcoming Solstice gathering. A large list at ten, Karnea commits
to herself to weed the next list down to six in the future. Make
it an honor and a privilege to attend going forward. Karnea is
still meeting some of the newer Wizards, as well as some she was
not able to include the first time around.
Her notes are interrupted by a knock at the door. And Karnea
says, “Come, Kalana.” The door opens, and Kalana Hiewind, one of
her oldest students, enters. The elf woman had barely aged at
all since Karnea first met her, some fifty years prior. Kalana’s
golden hair spilled over the back of her rich black robes, the
points of her ears just showing. She was a bit taller than her
mistress, lithe and graceful as only an elf could be.
Kalana seemed to glide across the floor as she approached
Karnea’s desk, noting that there was only one chair this time.
She took her seat and tried to make herself as comfortable as
possible while trying very hard not to show her discomfort. No
one could sit across from the Mistress of the Black Robes for
very long without fidgeting.
Karnea offers Kalana a glass of wine. “A Silvanesti vintage,
from about the time of the Cataclysm, I believe. It’s passable,”
she shrugged as she poured.
Kalana accepted the glass and sipped at it, savoring the little
taste of a homeland she hadn’t set foot in for over a hundred
years. “Certainly, more than passable, mistress. It’s quite
excellent.”
“I’m glad it is to your liking. Speaking of your liking, how are
you finding things here at the Tower?”
“Everything has been very good so far. Selene has just moved me
into new rooms near hers. I never in my wildest dreams imagined
that I would have rooms in a Tower of High Sorcery, especially
one dedicated to the Black Robes.”
“Yes,” Karnea gestured, “It’s quite the upgrade from Schallsea,
don’t you think? Soon we’ll have even more residents, and this
Tower will become the preeminent center for magical learning and
research on Krynn. Wayreth may remain the administrative center,
but the Tower of Blood Sea will be the true heart of High
Sorcery.”
“And this is why you have our support,” Kalana raised her glass
to her mistress. “No one else in the Order has your vision, to
lead this Order to its rightful place.”
Karnea accepted her former apprentice’s praise by raising her
glass, and the two women savored the wine for a moment. Setting
her glass down, Karnea fixed Kalana with her gaze.
“There is something that I have to discuss with you, as I’m sure
you guessed. I’ll be frank, administering this Tower and the
Order puts significant demands on my time, and I find that it is
becoming more difficult to venture out into the world to handle
personal business. That is why I am asking you to be my personal
agent outside of the Tower. Naturally,” she swept her arm in a
broad gesture, “you’ll keep your rooms here in the Tower. In
fact, you will likely spend more time here than out in the
world. But I need someone I can trust to represent my interests
in the world at large.” She set down her wineglass and raised an
eyebrow. “Are you up for that challenge?”
Kalana takes a long sip of her wine as she considers what Karnea
was offering. It wasn’t a seat on the Conclave, to be sure, but
being asked to take on this responsibility had the potential to
be more than simple political power within the order. This was a
chance to settle some scores under the pretext of doing the Head
of the Order’s business.
“Of course, mistress. I am honored that you would consider me
for this task.”
“Excellent,” Karnea said. “Until I require you, then, you are
welcome to resume your studies here in the Tower.
Kalana rises from her chair. “Thank you again, Mistress, for
putting this trust in me. I’ll see that you never have cause to
regret it.”
Kalana leaves to go back to her Chantry in Gwynned to retrieve
her glassware for her laboratory here at the tower. She will
also be closing down her affairs on Northern Ergoth, though she
is keeping her house and will have people still maintain her
business affairs.
Later, that evening~
Over Dinner with Selene
They have been eating and spending a little bit of time
hammering out the framework of a schedule to meet with the key
people (as seen in Part One) in the order as needed first.
Garrion Man-At-Arms, Former City Guard Captain from Caergoth,
Borin Stonehammer, Engineer, Mountain Dwarf from Kayolin, the
giant Barbarian, Khor, a representative from each group, from
the Sell Swords, the crossbowmen, the bounty hunters, and the
fighters. We will fit in the killers as needed, which should be
soon, so they don’t get bored.
Once Karnea is assured that Selene has the rest, she leaves her
to it and goes upstairs. Karnea gets her bath out of the way
before she pulls on her nightclothes and stokes the fire in her
fireplace in her study, and puts on a pot of water over the fire
while she settles at her vallenwood desk for some time for
herself before bed.
While she awaits her pot to boil, Karnea finds the list Selene
wrote out from the Manifest. And puts it to the side with a
paperweight, using her Candie dish to secure it in place. Lots
of lists today. She is thankful once again that she has somebody
to keep things straight for her, so she has more time for her
own business. She can’t start any research now, after
collections, after the solstice gathering, then maybe.
Her pot begins boiling, and the whistling brings her back from
her thoughts. She goes over and uses the arm and pulls the
kettle off the fire, and lets it sit for a few moments. Karnea
prepares the chai and the ginger with orange peel. She pours
herself a cup and returns to her chair, sets the chai aside, and
lets it steep.
Karnea wants to prepare Kalana to leave soon on her liquidation
mission. and wonders briefly if it would be of benefit to bring
Dalamar into accompanying Kalana, since he is the only other one
who has knowledge of the Zones and where they should land.
Karnea writes out a short letter to Dalamar about coming to the
Tower to discuss it. She places the scroll case on the out box
on her desk and rises. She is awaiting critical information from
Nuitari as to who was behind the attempt on Aravis. She takes a
sip of her tea and considers what is going to do when… Karnea
hears a noise in either her bedroom or the hallway; she can’t be
sure.
Karnea slides into her Black Robe and pulls on her bandolier of
spell components. She easily fits into her boots, and she pulls
her staff to her and investigates. The first thing she notices
is that there is no one around her room, in the hallway, or
anywhere. They are all asleep. The girls, Aravis, Azura, Selene,
and everyone.
Karnea stops and can feel Nuitari’s hand in this. She is no
longer alarmed. She feels compelled and drawn to the Chamber of
Eyes. Karnea goes there straightaway.
[center]…[/center]
Just a floor below, Aravis awakens and realizes she fell asleep
in the middle of reading Bertrem’s Guide to the War of Souls,
vol. 1, as collected by the Aesthetics of the Library of
Palanthas. It’s very new; it only came out at the beginning of
this year. She realized she really did hear something and
suddenly felt compelled to dress to go somewhere.
Once Aravis has done this, she goes out of her room and enters
Azura’s room, and finds that she will not awaken, no matter
what. She checks the Gardens and finds Selene asleep at the
table, her work under her head. She is compelled to go to the
Chamber of Eyes.
[center]…[/center]
Master Karnea can feel a presence from within. She walks inside
the Chamber of Eyes and at first does not see anything, but she
feels something there . . . then he reveals himself, it is Rajah
Culgu, a Rakshasa Lord, and one of Nuitari’s favorite agents.
This is a rare honor to come face-to-face with a magical beast
of such power.
He is magnificently in shape; he looks to be in the prime of his
existence. Rajah Culgu (The Rajah is a rank with its Rakshasa
society.) Karnea met him once before, long ago, in the presence
of her Master, so why is he here now? A small part of her,
beneath the awe she is feeling is the feeling she should be
perturbed about him just popping in here and operating the
Tower’s devices without even a by your leave, but something taps
those feeling down as she can feel that Rajah Culgu is here with
a purpose, has gone through all of this for a particular reason,
Nuitari wants it this way.
Rajah Culgu deeply bows to the Master of the Tower and the
Master of the Black Robes of Nuitari and says, “I have been
charged with showing you something very important about the
investigation of who attacked Lady Aravis this summer in the
Gods Eye that is soon to transpire. Afterward, I am charged to
escort you both to our Lord at his Tower within the Gray.
He understands you have a distrustful nature and applauds you
for it, but in this, he needs to discuss things on his plane.
But first, we must wait for everyone to arrive.”
Karnea is instantly confused and is just about to ask who? When
she suddenly sees Aravis, who is walking into the Chamber.
“It’s you,” Aravis says in a reverent tone that Karnea raises an
eyebrow at. For Aravis, this one was like a guardian angel in
her pantheon. She can’t explain it. She would see him perched
here and there in and around the Capital City, like a gargoyle.
Somehow, Aravis just knew he was from her father, sent to watch
over her, but from a distance. He did not want to alarm the
pretorian sentries who were apart from Aravis’s protection
without any contact. He is ashamed that he was out of position
on the night of the attack on her, for which he is very
apologetic; he could not save her.
Karnea only gives this a moment’s thought before she deadpans,
“Well, we're all here…”
The Rajah Culgu looks over Karnea and Aravis, and says “Quite”,
he begins speaks the spidery magic words as he pulls a specially
marked flask from a secret inner pocket pulls forth the stopper
and pours the dragons’ blood silvery liquid into the relic-dish
and activates the God’s Eye and focuses its view into his
intended desired location to view and the image steams through
clouds, and Kanrea and Aravis step closer to see as the image
clears to show the shadow representation of Palanthas, and Rajah
Culgu informs them that this location represents the true
underworld of Palanthas, the is the place where Hiddukel, the
Prince of Lies, the Betrayer, the Broken Scales, the Trickster
rules over.
Into the back twisted alleys of this shadowland is also where
our Master is currently located. Nuitari is in the shadows,
“conversing” with a Demon, a six-armed marilith Demon named
Kevokulli. These creatures are found to be around this area. It
is known that Hiddukel himself employs several of their kind for
their cold logic. They communicate via limited telepathy.
Nuitari provides her words in audio for us. The conversation is
flying past and is hard to follow. If Karnea has it right, the
implications of the dimensions of this discussion imply that it
implicates Zeboim and makes her complicit, along with Hiddukel,
facilitating the deal with third parties.
[center]…[/center]
“Who’s in the third party?” The God of Dark Magic demands. The
answer comes that they were figures from the Court of the Abyss.
He asks which ones. The Demon names Handmaidens, Azrakel the
Malignant Duke, and his lady, Duchess Isolde, a fearsome
enchantress crowned in sanguine shadows.
Nuitari clarifies Handmaidens.
The Demon Kevokulli tells him it is Nihira.
You said before the Handmaidens were plural; was this an honest
mistake, or are you hiding something from me? Nuitari persists.
“I just misspoke…” the Demon tells him.
The Dark Prince comments, “Not very likely, I think,” then
presses, “Who is the other handmaiden involved? They were all
supposed to have been wiped out by the Bloody Hunters, who is
this last one that you are hiding?” Nuitari casts a dark spell.
The Demon tries to hold back under strain but finally relents
under the dark magical weight of oppression bearing from
Nuitari’s eyes. “Lysandra,” the marilith transmits to the Dark
Prince. The stare finally breaks the demon, and it slinks away.
Looking over the event in the Chamber of Eyes, in the pool of
the God’s Eye, as the scene fades. Rajah Culgu gives voice to
his thoughts . . . “The Principles named, it is likely the ones
that will feel the most pain in all this will be the
handmaidens, Nihira, Lysandra. It will be nigh impossible to
track down the Malignant Duke and his lady, Isolde The Duchess,
they will have delved deep into the reaches of the Abyss by now.
But we will catch them one day unawares.”
Master Karnea considers what she just saw and heard, and after a
moment, states, “I have questions if you are willing to provide
them.”
Rakshasa Lord answers that he is willing to answer what he can.
Karnea asks, “These handmaidens, are they the same as Jiathuli?
The exiled handmaiden? Where do these Dukes and duchesses come
from?” Karnea heard about the fallen handmaiden from her Master,
told as a cautionary parable, several years back. Jiathuli was
ultimately trapped in her demiplane of her own making, allegedly
forever.
Aravis, for her part, has been quiet through the viewing. A
million questions have been forming as she waits for his answer.
After a few moments, the Rakshasa begins the tale, “They are
from the Court of the Abyss. They served the Dark Queen,
Takhisis during her exile after Huma and Silver Dragon’s
sacrifice. They operated with impunity in the Time of Darkness
after the Cataclysm, and during the War of the Lance. What
happened to them after Summer Flame, when Takhisis stole the
world away? The court were left unawares of what was happening
and scattered, to be hunted down if they could be found, they
were tortured to find out what they knew of the Dark Queen’s
plans. To find Krynn. Their benefactor is dead, but they are
dangerous still. The Dark Queen’s favorites were imbued with
gifts, and curses during their enslavement to the Queen. These
were some of the towering figures of the court.” He goes on to
name them off…
The Court of the Abyss
The Courtiers
Morwenna, the Abyssal Dragon Witch
Holder of the demiurges of darkness
Sybelle the Blood Seer -The Eye of Takhisis
Eyewings
Varoth the Baron of Hate
Vexalina, the Baroness Seductress of shadows, whisperer of dark
secrets
The Count / The Nameless One
Carmina, the Countess of Cruelty and Cunning
The Blood Hunters
Azrakel the Malignant Duke
Isolde, the Duchess, fearsome enchantress, crowned in sanguine
shadows.
The Handmaidens of the Court of the Dark Queen (AC -7 THAC0 5
Magical Resistance 75%)
Jiathuli was the greatest of these handmaidens, and she had high
honor in the court of the Abyss. Over the course of time,
because of her cunning and her ability, she earned the title
Princess of the Abyss. However, this honor was not enough for
Jiathuli. She was tried and locked away in an unbreakable egg
containing the Demiplane Jiathuli is locked away in. The Other
Surviving Handmaidens, the rest were slain for one reason or
another.
They are:
Caelia
Lysandra
Nihira
Elysia
Lilian
Ancient Nightmasters of Takhisis
Forever Servants, even after death…
Mortigan
Dormar
Kael
The Dark Pilgrims from across time.
The sacrificed minions for the Dark Queen. They still wear their
burial shrouds and still serve her after death.
The Rakshasa finishes with “I’m afraid I do not know who remains
of these figures, or where they might be hiding, or who might be
protecting them with sanctuary.”
Karnea considers the names and their titles and decides none of
them truly represent a threat, without knowing what these gifts
or curses might be, except for these first two. “The Eye”, and
this Dragon Witch. “What about these demiurges you mentioned?”
Karnea is trying to put a complex concept on the table and
trying to find the words. “A demiurge … what are we talking
about here exactly?”
Rajah Culgu attempts to answer what he knows, “In this context,
these are malevolent spirits, full of malice and hate, they have
they mouths that, and claws that, well, it is said these things
could sherd the flesh from a being in mere moments.”
The Rakshasa continues, “I said before, these people were
towering figures in the court that I have mentioned, none of
them are exactly pushovers.”
For Aravis, this has been beyond insightful. She still does not
know exactly what is going on, but this has set her mind into an
ocean of possibilities. This brings her to her time in the
Abyss. She asks herself, why is this happening to me? She
suddenly finds herself in a much bigger world than she has known
before.
She has been distracted by considering what her questions will
be when she crosses over, when she sees her mother talking to
Rajah Culgu. Aravis comes closer to hear what they are saying.
“-so, you see, I must beg off this request from my lord, it is
not proper for me to step away just now, I am needed to stay
here, but offer to send my daughter, so that she might be able
to learn more and bring this information back to me.
Rajah Culgu is torn, but it feels like she has made her
decision. “I will convey your message to our lord and escort
Aravis in your stead.”
Aravis catches up and says, “Whoa, wait, what? You want me to go
alone? Are you sure about this Mother?”
“I am, and Aravis, bring whatever information he gives you,
bring it back to me, first thing.”
“Alright, Mother, bye…" With that, Aravis turns and follows
Rajah Culgu across the threshold.
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