The Passing of A Torch

Discussions about visions, Stone, scrying, and more are part of this Passing of The Torch post from the Officials:

http://bit.ly/2rgF0bM

Category: Towns
Topic: Wehnimer’s Landing

Date: 05/02/2018 12:55 AM CDT

From: SMURF4

Subj: The passing of a torch

What follows is selected logs from a discussion between Dergoatean, Balley and many others, several nights ago. Much removed, and a few small changes, e.g. for typos I noticed. I re-ordered some lines to make the follow of conversation a little easier to follow.

Highlights:
* Balley has been seeing visions of what we think are Stone and Raznell
* Goat has scryed upon Stone in the past, to disasterous results
* Several present suggested taking Balley’s scrying bowl for safe keeping. She refused, and may have lost control of herself for a moment.

A lot in here about Stone’s part in Cross Into Shadows several years back, and its immediate aftermath. I may have some details wrong by now – it’s been what, 3 years? Would love to hear any corrections. Note that Goat’s retelling of his scrying-related woes are truly his own subjective experience, and may not be entirely reliable.

(I haven’t done one of these in a while… renewed respect for Leafiara after editing all this down! And she even gives links and stuff.)

[Hearthstone, Front Porch]

You say, “Now… where to begin.”
You say, “Well for one, I’m not sure we’ve ever been properly introduced.”
You say, “I am Goat.”
Balley softly says, “I am Balley the Seer.”
Speaking to you, Zosopage says, “I am Zosopage.”
Balley softly says, “He is my Fiance.”
You say, “Congratulations to you both.”
Zosopage gives Balley a lingering kiss.
Zosopage says, “Thanks.”
Balley softly says, “Thank you.”
Speaking to Zosopage, you say, “You have your work cut out, I expect.”
Balley softly says, “My visions last night were very very clear.”
You say, “I haven’t opened this chest in three years.”
You tap a sturdy mithril chest, which is in your left hand.
Balley softly says, “The shadow I saw came.”
Zosopage says, “I was once a general in the Northern Fury so I’m no stranger to any dangers Elanith has to offer.”
You say, “I don’t doubt your abilities.”
Speaking to Zosopage, you say, “It may be different than the kind you’re acccustomed to. But I hope to help you prepare.”
Balley softly says, “I know not much about these two that haunt me.”
Zosopage says, “I’ve encountered Grishom before.”

You put a thin black leather journal in your black leather backpack.
You open a sturdy mithril chest.
You remove a chipped spherical crystal from in your mithril chest.

You say, “For two years, I couldn’t even trust myself to be in the presence of this crystal.”
You say, “Lady Lylia… Mayor Lylia… held onto it for me.”
You offer your spherical crystal to Balley.
Balley has accepted your offer and is now holding a chipped spherical crystal.
Balley indicates her spherical crystal with a smile.
You say, “Once part of perhaps the most powerful scrying artifact Elanthia has seen.”
[OOC: This might not actually be true, but the loresong suggests it was a real humdinger, in any case.]
You say, “Erithian.”
You say, “They could see past, present, future, and anywhere.”
Balley gazes intensely into her spherical crystal.
Balley shivers.
You say, “This little piece… it just reveals who’s hiding near you nowadays. At least, until Stone.”
You say, “I’d advise not gazing too deeply.”
Balley nods.
Balley softly says, “I feel darkness around me.”
Balley glances around as if trying to find the answer.

Balley offers you a chipped spherical crystal.
You accept Balley’s offer and are now holding a chipped spherical crystal.
You put a chipped spherical crystal in your mithril chest.
You close a sturdy mithril chest.

You say, “When we fought the shadow – Althedeus.”
You say, “We needed Stone’s help.”
Balley nods.
You say, “Elithain Cross had been torturing him.”
You say, “At the time, Glethad, the museum curator, began to study Stone’s history.”
You say, “We knew Stone, still captive, had eyes on us.”
You ask, “Remember those blue eyes from your visions?”
You say, “He gave those eyes to … I don’t know, ten citizens of this town.”
You say, “He was watching.”
You say, “I gave this crystal to Glethad, hoping we could watch back.”
Balley softly says, “Yes.”
Balley softly says, “They pierce my soul.”
You say, “Believe me, I understand.”
You say, “Turned out Glethad was already in Stone’s thrall, falling deeper every day.”
You say, “After we freed Stone, Glethad gave him my crystal, rather than return it to me.”
You say, “Stone did… I don’t know what he did to it. But it wasn’t chipped like that before he finally handed it back.”
You say, “Fast forward a few months.”

Maiden Leafiara’s group just arrived.

You say, “Althedeus is unraveled. Stone escaped our confines.”
Leafiara glances appraisingly around the area.
Leafiara waves to you.
Leafiara brightly exclaims, “Heard you were telling some tales here!”
Speaking to Leafiara, you say, “Evening. We were just getting to the good part.”
Speaking interestedly to you, Leafiara says, “Oh, perfect.”

You say, “Stone had escaped, thanks to his control over Glethad.”
You say, “I had the bright idea of tracking him down.”
You tap a sturdy mithril chest, which is in your left hand.
You say, “Figured the crystal had some kind of special connection with him.”
You say, “And you know what, the first attempt? It went well.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I saw things.”
You say, “The desert. Terrible beasts. Grishom.”
You say, “He had travelled to the Sea of Fire.”
You say, “It was the second effort, a few nights later.”
You say, “Pylasar helped organized a party; we scryed harder.”
You say, “Dozens fed mana as I dumped it into the crystal.”
You say, “The visions even reached beyond me, at times, to all those present.”
You say, “I don’t remember too many specifics. But I remember enough.”
Balley softly says, “I see.”
You say, “I saw the real source of power – the Star of Khar’ta. The Eye of Ta’Ashrim. The Galestone.”
You say, “And in that moment, I was no longer just watching.”
You say, “It’s like I said last night. When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
You say, “It, Stone, they entered my mind, my soul.”
You exclaim, “It was exhilerating! Captivating!”
Balley softly says, “Really.”
You say, “I felt such POWER.”
You say, “I felt nearly a god in my own right.”
You say, “That was before my eyes and ears started to bleed.”
You say, “Didn’t matter, of course, I was already obsessed.”
Balley softly says, “I felt like I was in a bubble last evening, visions surrounding me. I could hear, feel, smell, and taste the evil and the darkness.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “If it still tasted evil, you were fortunate.”
You say, “To me, it was delicious.”
Balley softly says, “I am not sure.”
You say, “It was days, I think, in that daze of illusory glory.”
Balley softly says, “I was overwhelmed.”
You reach over and gently rest your hand on Balley’s arm.
Balley softly says, “I was scared.”
Balley softly says, “I still am.”
You say, “Days until Lylia found me down down in a ditch, somewhere in Upper Trollfang.”
You say, “Separated from their presence, I entered a sort of withdrawal.”
You say, “Weeks, months, passed, hardly a feeling or memory.”
You say, “I realized I was forgetting myself.”

You remove a thin black leather journal from in your black leather backpack.
You offer your black leather journal to Balley.
Balley has accepted your offer and is now holding a thin black leather journal.
You say, “I’ll let you borrow that for the evening.”
Balley softly says, “Ok.”
You say, “Notes from myself, to myself.”
You say, “Just in case.”
Balley softly says, “That would be great.”
Balley softly says, “I am not sure what is happening to me.”
You nod at Balley.
You say, “Stone didn’t stop there.”
You say, “He possessed me. Several times. My actions, my words.”
Balley softly says, “The visions have never been clear, but last night they came into focus as soon as I saw the shadow.”
Balley softly says, “I felt it and I felt myself grow cold.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “Cold, yes.”

You remove a swirling yellow-green potion from in your black leather backpack.
Speaking to Balley, you say, “Let me ask you.”
Balley softly says, “Yes.”
Speaking to Balley, you ask, “What color is this?”
You show Balley your yellow-green potion.
Balley softly says, “A mixture of color.”
Balley softly says, “Swirling.”
Speaking to Balley, you ask, “And those mixtures? Which colors do you see?”
Balley softly says, “Light and dark.”
You frown.
Balley softly says, “Yellow as the sun.. Green as the sky before a storm.”
You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.
You say, “Okay. You’re okay. In that way.”
Balley softly says, “I hear the storm.”
Balley softly says, “It feel it coming.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “The last thing I regained, after all this… for years I could not see green. The color of the star.”
Balley softly says, “I close my eyes and see the blood red moon.”
You nod at Balley.
Speaking to Balley, you say, “You call yourself Balley the Seer.”
Balley softly says, “The mixure is not a green. it is a grayish color with a greenish hugh.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “Trouble, perhaps.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I wonder if you could ever instead be Balley the Friend, or Balley the Spouse, or Balley the Warrior, instead of Balley the Seer.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “Because that may be the only way to save yourself from my fate.”
Zorganthrolimus takes a deep breath, blinking a couple of times before resuming a calm expression.
Balley softly says, “I hear the storm, feel the rain and wind on my face ringing in my ears.”
A forest fox snorts the ground hungrily.
Speaking to Balley, you say, “His presence never fully leaves me. It’s inactive, generally. But like someone is looking over my shoulder.”
Balley softly asks, “Your fate?”
Balley softly says, “I have felt like that.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I expect he could still overtake my will at any time.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “But I do have one thing to offer.”
Balley softly says, “Shinann told me to stay in the barracks last night to be guarded and protectes.”
You say, “I’m not much of a mentalist, but I’ve learned some wards.”
Balley softly says, “This all is soo new to me.”
You say, “I don’t think I can stop him, but I think I can detect him.”
You say, “And that’s important. Without that, I wouldn’t know if thoughts were mine or his.”
You say, “He may control me, but there will still be a Me.”
You say, “There’s not much of Glethad left, in contast.”
Balley nods.
Balley softly says, “Do you still scrye.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I do not.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “As I said, this is the first night in years I’ve even looked at my crystal.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I don’t know that I’d survive another round.”
Balley softly says, “When I gazed in it I saw darkness.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I would love to see into it again.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “It draws me still.”
Balley softly says, “My bowl calls to me.”
Balley softly says, “The wind calls and whispers.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “You’ll do what you must.”

Speaking to you, Stormyrain offers, “You’re also not a trained Seer. You were more the lens, than the one seeking the vision. She may fair better given her natural talent and training.”
Stormyrain furrows her brow.
Stormyrain repeats, “May.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “I want to believe you.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “I was full of hubris, not skill.”
Balley softly says, “All I am sure of is when the shadow appeared it made me run cold I felt myself losing myself.”
Stormyrain admits, “It likely did not help that Hadya and I were trying to help hone your connection, it may have helped open your mind a bit too much.”
Stormyrain frowns.
Balley softly says, “My horrorish nightmare was upon me.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “I hope you can help her protect her mind.”
Balley softly says, “Everything was clear.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “There may be a time when we must hone her connection as well.”
Speaking to you, Stormyrain says, “Her training is in the hands of others…I am not sure they would take kindly to my interference.”

Speaking heartily to Madmountan, Chamorr says, “The cheering section.”
Speaking heartily to Madmountan, Chamorr says, “Thought you was a big bad warrior, why dinna try to stop that.”
Aoife mutters something about blood….
Speaking to Chamorr, Aoife says, “Here it goes again…”
Speaking to Chamorr, Madmountan says, “Why would I try to stop a beautiful metamorphasis into something greater? For two people.”
Speaking heartily to Madmountan, Chamorr says, “Cause Stone is a sonofa.”
Madmountan says, “Stone and I have history.”
Speaking heartily to Madmountan, Chamorr says, “No doubt.”
Chamorr mutters minion.

Balley softly says, “I saw details.”
Balley softly says, “Lots of them.”
Balley softly says, “I saw the landscape, the trees, the altar.”
Balley softly says, “I was frozen.”
Balley softly says, “As we went looking for Evician and I was taken to places it was as if I was in my visions.”
Balley softly says, “Walking the steps of the woman and mage.”
Speaking to Balley, you ask, “Where else did you go with them?”
Balley softly says, “The area near the altar I think.”
Balley softly says, “The pillars.”
Balley softly says, “I felt like I was floating.”
Balley softly says, “That is all I remember of the search.”

Speaking curiously to Balley, Leafiara clarifies, “Did you run off searching on your own last night? I’ll admit, I was running all over the place, so I didn’t keep track of who was where…”
Balley softly says, “No I was with you.”
Balley softly says, “I never left the group.”
Leafiara ponders.
Balley softly says, “I was frozen.”
Speaking slowly to Balley, Leafiara says, “Ahhhh… I see.”
Speaking to Leafiara, Zosopage says, “She was with the group the whole time.”

Balley softly says, “I was called a witch today.”
Leafiara cocks her head at Balley.
Balley softly says, “The bringer of evil, the one who speaks it and is bringing it.”
Zosopage says, “I’ll have their head.”
Zosopage grumbles.
Speaking to Balley, Leafiara soothes, “Try not to pay that too much mind. People say all kinds of crazy things around here.”
Balley softly says, “It way Mysarie or something.”
Balley softly says, “I have to remember.”
Aoife raises an eyebrow in Balley’s direction.
Aoife asks, “Mya?”
Speaking heartily to Aoife, Chamorr says, “Well, she would know witches, bein one herself.”
Balley softly says, “It was Mryaster.”
Balley softly asks, “Who me?”
Aoife says, “As would your wife.”
Aoife nods at Chamorr.
Leafiara bemusedly says, “Oh, well,t hat’s an entirely different person.”
Leafiara chuckles.
Chamorr’s jaw drops.
Aoife leans softly against Chamorr.
Balley softly says, “I was told I should be burned.”
Chamorr heartily asks, “My wife is a witch???”
Balley softly says, “The that person ran away.”
Aoife pokes Chamorr in the ribs.
Zosopage says, “Ya he’d better run.”
Aoife touches one finger to her lips.
Zosopage smirks.

Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “During those times, with that crystal, you were a good friend.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “I believe that journal of mine, in that journal I told myself to seek you out if I needed a reminder on who I was.”
Stormyrain smiles.
Stormyrain nods to you.
Speaking to you, Stormyrain says, “Yes, it was something you asked of me if memory serves.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “Serves better than mine.”
Speaking to Stormyrain, you say, “Thank you.”
Speaking to you, Stormyrain says, “Any time my friend.”

Balley softly says, “But I do know Hap and Irar identified the two in my visions.”
Speaking heartily to Balley, Chamorr says, “Not to worry.”
Balley softly says, “I have never seen them.”
Speaking curiously to Balley, Leafiara asks, “And who did they identify them as?”
Zosopage asks, “Did they say the woman was Raznel or somesuch?”
Aoife asks, “And who did he say they were?”
Aoife agrees with Leafiara.
Balley softly says, “They said the mage was Grisham Stone and the woman was Raznel.”
Aoife says, “Well, now there is one wicked woman.”
Balley softly says, “My blood got cold when they pierced my soul.”
Balley softly says, “I am scared of the visions.”
Balley softly says, “I am not sure how I feel about them.”
Balley softly says, “I felt like they were calling me somewhat.”
Zosopage says, “Raznel was not fun to deal with in the past as I am sure she still isn’t.”
Balley softly says, “I felt them look at me, stare into my mind.”
Aoife shows Balley her old witch miniature.
Anru reassuringly says, “Never fear illuminations, though.”
Madmountan rubs his red-inked scarab.
Speaking ominously to Zosopage, Leafiara says, “Oh, she’ll be fun to ‘deal with’ alright…”
Balley gasps.
Speaking to Balley, Aoife asks, “Did she look like that?”
Balley wobbles, looking a bit faint.
Balley nods at Aoife.
Leafiara glances between Balley and Aoife.
Speaking to Leafiara, Zosopage says, “Well there is fun and then there is fun.”
Balley wobbles, looking a bit faint.
Zosopage agrees with Leafiara.
Speaking simply to Zosopage, Leafiara muses, “A katana through her skull sounds fun.”
Balley softly says, “The eyes.”
Balley softly says, “Those are the eyes for sure.”
You cringe.
Aoife says, “I guess they were right then.”
Aoife nods at Balley.
Zosopage says, “Through the eyes then in stead of just the skull.”
Stormyrain furrows her brow.
Zosopage nods at Leafiara.
Balley softly says, “The hair is the same as well.”
Balley softly says, “What I saw was black.”
Balley softly says, “Maybe I am losing my mind.”
Aoife says, “Not good news for anyone if those two are back.”
Balley softly says, “Maybe I am still dreaming.”
Balley softly says, “I hear whispers in the wind.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “The trick is to identify what’s your mind, and what’s from outside.”
Balley softly says, “They are just now clear yet.”
Madmountan says, “They are most definitely back.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “Keep track of that, and you’ll never lose yourself.”
Balley softly says, “Ok.”
Leafiara nods approvingly to you.
Balley softly says, “What scares me is one thing.”
You turn to face Balley.
Balley softly says, “I feel like they are calling me.”
Balley softly says, “I am not sure if anyone else has had these visions.”
Balley softly says, “I have been scared to ask.”
Leafiara glances at Balley.
Aoife says, “If they are calling….don’t answer.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I expect further scrying will only make the calls stronger.”
Balley softly says, “My bowl calls for me.”
Balley put a thin black leather journal in her emerald faille pelisse.
Balley gazes into her silver scrying bowl, her expression growing blank and eyes unfocused. After a short while she blinks a few times and seems to be aware of her surroundings again.
Balley shivers.
Balley softly says, “More darkness.”
Speaking to Balley, Aoife says, “Seriously.”
Balley softly says, “Zoso you need to protect me.”
Zosopage says, “Always.”
Balley softly says, “I see a band of thugs surrounding me, read to ambush me.”
Balley softly says, “Under a moonless night.”
Chamorr smiles.
Leafiara curiously asks, “Moonless or just… a moon covered by clouds, perhaps?”
Zosopage gazes up into the sky.
Balley softly says, “I hear them coming in the wind. the footsteps are getting closer.”
Balley softly says, “No moon that I see.”
Leafiara nods.
Balley softly says, “Darkness surrounds me.”
Balley softly says, “I feel the darkness.”
Zosopage says, “Lornon is visible.”

Balley softly says, “Why do I smell blood?”
Chamorr heartily says, “Crux the minion is here.”
Stormyrain evenly says, “It’s someone.”
Aoife says, “It’s rotting flesh.”
Balley shivers.
Balley softly says, “It was around me yesterday.”
Chamorr heartily says, “He went from mayor to minion in lesss than a month.”
Speaking to Balley, Zosopage says, “Crux does smell like that.”
Speaking to Chamorr, Aoife says, “If you’re talking about…”
Zosopage nods at Balley.
Balley softly says, “One thing I know is I feel power.”
Aoife says, “He was a minion way before he was a mayor.”
Chamorr nods at Aoife.
Balley softly says, “Darkness and evil but lots and lots of power.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “If it’s like me… it’s real power. It’s just not yours.”
Balley softly says, “I hear storms and wind in the distance.”
Balley softly says, “I smell blood in the air.”
Madmountan sniffs.
Madmountan says, “Me too.”
Balley softly says, “I am not afraid of this.”
Severine slowly empties her lungs.
Balley softly says, “I am afraid of the unknown.”
Balley softly says, “I am afraid of what I may see.”
Speaking curiously to Balley, Leafiara asks, “But you still wish to see it? And not to stop scrying, as others suggested?”
Balley softly says, “This all is new and a bit overwhelming.”
Balley softly says, “Yes.”
Balley softly says, “It makes me want to look harder and deeper.”
Balley softly says, “It calls me.”
Leafiara relents, “Fair enough.”
Balley softly says, “Deeper and harder each day.”
Speaking to Balley, Leafiara praises, “A brave soul, at least.”
Leafiara nods at Balley.
Speaking to Balley, Stormyrain says, “You need to learn to control your power, lest it control you.”
Anru smiles at Balley.

Chamorr heartily says, “Soon to be a lost soul.”
Leafiara uneasily asks, “Scrying can come to control someone?”
Speaking softly to Stormyrain, Balley says, “Will you help me.”
Speaking to Leafiara, Stormyrain asks, “You did not hear Goat?”
Stormyrain gives a sidelong glance at you.
Leafiara says, “That was… different. It would seem to me, at least.”
Zosopage says, “Perhaps someone else should hold the bowl so you can’t look into it on your own.”
Balley softly says, “I will read your journal Dergoatean.”
Speaking to Leafiara, Stormyrain says, “As with any magic, if you cannot control it, it will overwhelm you. It is a wild thing at heart, the talent of a Seer.”
Leafiara says, “Like you said, no innate talents–“
Speaking softly to Zosopage, Balley says, “No it is mine and I will not let you have it.”
Balley glares at Zosopage.
Zosopage shrugs.
Stormyrain gazes with interest at Balley.
Speaking to Zosopage, Aoife says, “Someone should hold it for her and get rid of it. Someone who loves her.”
Balley softly says, “Wow where did that come from.”
Balley shivers.
Stormyrain says, “It will do no good; the talent lives within her, not within her instruments.”
Leafiara nods understandingly at Stormyrain.
Speaking to Aoife, Zosopage says, “I can’t force her to give it to me.”
Aoife says, “Of course not.”
Balley rubs a bright silver scrying bowl in her hand.
Balley gazes with interest at a clam chowder-filled bread bowl on a scorched oak sideboard.
Balley’s concentration shifts and becomes more focused as she slightly tilts an ear in a particular direction.
Zosopage says, “To be honest I do not really even want to be near it.”
Aoife asks, “It’s a talent to be tormented and hounded?”
Balley rubs a bright silver scrying bowl in her hand.
Aoife glances at Stormyrain.
Aoife exclaims, “Spare me from that talent!”
Balley gazes into her silver scrying bowl, her expression growing blank and eyes unfocused. After a short while she blinks a few times and seems to be aware of her surroundings again.
Zosopage says, “I just hope it doesn’t drive us apart.”
Zosopage smiles quietly to himself.
Speaking thoughtfully to Aoife, Stormyrain says, “The only time I felt tormented or hounded was when Grishom shared his visions with many of us and since they were not my own I could not control them.”
Balley softly says, “I see shadowy visions of figures dancing in the darkness.”
Balley softly says, “Under a blood red moon.”
Aoife asks, “It’s a talent to be tormented and hounded?”
Balley softly says, “Calling me to play.”
Balley shivers.
Balley wobbles, looking a bit faint.
Aoife says, “I would call it a curse, to be blunt.”
Speaking to Aoife, Berkana says, “Sounds like Eorgina and one of my rites.”
Balley gets out a flask and pours the water from her silver scrying bowl into it and then puts the flask away.
Balley put a bright silver scrying bowl in her emerald faille pelisse.
Stormyrain says, “Pardon me.”
Speaking to Balley, Stormyrain says, “Have a cup of that tea tonight.”
Balley softly says, “I will.”
Balley softly says, “I was up all night last even.”
Balley softly says, “I am scared.”
Balley softly says, “Of the power.”
Balley softly asks, “Were you?”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I was not scared at first.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “Which is the scariest bit, maybe.”
Balley softly says, “I see.”
Speaking to Eugenides, Aoife says, “Take her scrying bowl.”
Speaking to Balley, Aoife says, “You are asking for trouble, dear.”
Speaking to Balley, you say, “I am glad we had the opportunity to speak tonight. Please continue to let me know how you are doing. I’ll help how I can.”
Balley softly says, “I shall.”
Speaking to Zosopage, you say, “Good luck.”
Speaking to Eugenides, Aoife says, “To get rid of, I meant.”
Balley softly says, “I am hoping to sleep and rest.”
Speaking quietly to yourself, you say, “Fizum mu teur ime.”