Tour of Hendoran Outpost and death of Rashi

Grand Magister Dennet gives a tour of the Outpost’s areas recently opened to the public on Tuesday night. Rashi tells about that and the mysterious events that led up to her untimely demise.

http://bit.ly/2p6oQ1J

Category: Towns
Topic: Wehnimer’s Landing

Date: 05/03/2017 03:25 AM CDT

From: TRIFFIDKEY

Subj: Letter to the Mayor (IC)

Mayor Cruxophim,

Last night, Grand Magister Dennet gave a tour of the Hendoran outpost. I’d been there before, once or twice, but it was kind of him to show off the areas that were once closed to the public.

Before I go on, I have to admit to being rather ignorant of events up to two weeks ago, as I was spending time with family near Yuriqen while recovering from the trek out of my former home.

Anyway, I think this needs to be shared. The message that was spoken through me must be important, and few were there when it happened. I have no idea myself, but I’m neither an elementalist nor caught up on current events.

Here’s a short recounting of what happened. Shortly before this, myself and some others had heard a voice in their head simply saying “…he…”. To my knowledge, I’m the only one who suffered anything beyond that.

My best guess as to “why me” for the rest is that I had decided to stay behind after the rest of the group left to share pleasantries with my old friend Raelee. It’s possible the energies around that place are more conducive. Plus I all but invited it in, clearing my mind and opening it in the hope of hearing more. This was likely a mistake, with the stories of mind control I’ve been hearing, but at first it just felt like it wanted to be heard – there was no sense of coercion. I still think that’s the case, but I’ve heard word that someone may know more, and I intend to seek her out.

[Hendoran Outpost, Alchemist]
A thick wooden table sits beneath a wide wood-framed blackboard and dominates the center of the room, where it is surrounded by a number of locked chests and trunks, many of them labeled with the crest of the Hall of Mages. Large curtains flank an arched rune-etched window, allowing for the quick extinguishing of light, while numerous candles in various states of melted usage perch from precarious places throughout the room. The faint aroma of sulphur and herbs lingers in the air of the area. You also see the Jeliara disk, the Cotelle disk, a wash basin, a rune-carved wooden door, a tall invar brazier, a basket of sticks, a gold talon-shaped lantern mounted on a nearby wall and a sturdy wooden chair.

Speaking carefully to you, Kippe says, “You heard a voice, too.”

Speaking politely to Raelee, Riend says, “Thank you for allowing us to be here, even if slightly under duress.”

Subarashi attempts to clear her mind, seeking a meditative state.

Speaking flatly to Riend, Raelee says, “I did not allow it.”

Pukk bows respectfully before Raelee, his eyes fixed firmly on the ground.

Pukk quietly says, “Thank ya for the hospitality.”

Speaking to Raelee, Riend counters, “You did not stop it either, and we well know you could have.”

Pukk approaches the window and the faint azure runes along the glass panes suddenly flash with a brilliant cerulean light and he vanishes into thin air!

Jeliara gazes heavenward.

Speaking evenly to Riend, Raelee says, “It would not be my position to do so.”

Riend adopts an agreeable expression.

Rumbling thunder echoes throughout the area.

Speaking to Raelee, Riend says, “Never-the-less, thank you.”

Raelee nods slowly at Riend.

Raelee carefully says, “… of course…”

Riend adopts an agreeable expression.

Pale amber light softly glows about the flickering flames of the talon-shaped lantern.

Jeliara rubs her chin thoughtfully.

Gazing into the flames, your mind wanders. You relive old adventures and battles and plan greater triumphs yet to be. It is pleasant to sit here and dream by the fire. Perhaps you will conquer the world tomorrow, or another day. There is always a tomorrow. But for now, the fire lulls you warmly.

Riend ponders.

Riend pauses in place and glances around for a moment, as if pondering which direction to go.

Riend just went northwest.

Avalera glances at you.
Avalera chuckles. (Note: this was in response to sharing on the thought network that we’d heard the same voice in our heads.)

…

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

You nod.

A loud clap of thunder rumbles the area.

Jeliara ponders.
You nod in agreement at Jeliara.
You say, “Same.” (Also thought network responses)
Jeliara nods slowly to you.

You turn to face Raelee.
Raelee raises an eyebrow.
Jeliara softly mumbles, “Odd…”
Jeliara shrugs.
Jeliara approaches the window and the faint azure runes along the glass panes suddenly flash with a brilliant cerulean light and she vanishes into thin air!

(At this point, Raelee and myself were the only people left in the alchemy lab)

Speaking to Raelee, you ask, “Did you?”
Raelee asks, “Did I what?”
You ask, “Hear a voice? In your mind?”
Raelee says, “Yes.”
You nod at Raelee.

The fire sings its ancient song of security from the dangers of the night as you gaze into the comfortable blaze.
You glance around the room.
You blink at Kippe.

Kippe casually quips, “I didn’t do it.”

You feel pressure in between your eyes.

Kippe idly scratches himself on the neck.

(Raelee gives Kippe a knowing look and taps her temple.)

You feel pressure in between your eyes.

Kippe squints at Raelee.
Speaking skeptically to Raelee, Kippe asks, “You did it?”

You shift your weight.

You feel pressure in between your eyes.

Speaking to Kippe, Raelee says, “No.”

You settle yourself on the wooden chair for a moment’s rest.

Speaking to Kippe, Raelee says, “But you were not utilizing your amulet.”
Speaking dubiously to Raelee, Kippe says, “Hmm.”
Speaking to Raelee, Kippe says, “I don’t wear them. I don’t need to.”
Speaking to Kippe, Raelee says, “I can only whisper to you from the rooftop–“
Kippe smiles knowingly at Raelee.

Raelee stares at you.
Kippe frowns at you.
Kippe looks at you with concern.

You quietly say, “I think I have a headache coming on.”

You feel pressure in between your eyes.

Speaking pointedly to you, Raelee says, “You are bleeding.”

Kayse gives a sidelong glance at you.

You blink.

Speaking quickly to you, Kayse asks, “What are you seeing?”

You shake your head.

Kippe gazes with interest at you.
Kayse settles her gaze on you, watching you intently.

You say, “I see nothing, just…right here. Pressure. Like…”
(Subarashi rests a finger on her brow, between her eyes.)
You furrow up your face and wince.

You feel your throat clench, and a word escape your mouth, “…earth….”

Kippe furrows his brow.
Speaking quietly to you, Kayse says, “Yes, that is what he told me as well.”
Lord Aasterinian just arrived.
Kayse looks lost in thought.
Kippe furrows his brow before glancing confusedly between Kayse and yourself.
Aasterinian says, “Oh, hmm.”
Aasterinian put a sigil-etched illthorn runestaff in his black leather harness.

You say, “Did I…”
You frown.
You ask, “Bleeding?”
You cock your head at Raelee.
Speaking to you, Raelee says, “Your nose.”
Kippe nods slowly to you.
(Kayse closes her eyes, her body slightly tensing as she concentrates.)
Lord Aasterinian just went through a rune-carved wooden door.
Kippe surreptitiously glances at Kayse.
Kippe distractedly glances at a rune-carved wooden door.

The room seems to darken, or perhaps more clouds outside…

Rumbling thunder echoes throughout the area.

You think to yourself, “Could this be what happened to Hapenlok? I…feel in control, for now…”

Ghostly shadows jerk and twitch as a movement of air toys with the flames of the talon-shaped lantern.
Raelee glances around the room.

You request, “Watch me, please. I’m not sure what is happening. Did it just get darker?”

Speaking carefully to you, Kippe asks, “Can I get you anything?”

The fire has almost died away, only a few flames totter about like old men seeking the youth they have lost.

You grimace.

Raelee says, “The fire is fading.”
You nod slowly.
Kippe just grabbed a wooden stick from the sticks.

Winrie’s group just arrived.
Winrie holds the sides of her silk skirt outward and performs a graceful curtsy.
Chaoswynd asks, “Assessing the damage?”
Chaoswynd raises an eyebrow in Raelee’s direction.
Winrie softly says, “Keeping warm, it would seem.”

You stand back up.

Winrie just grabbed a wooden stick from the sticks.
Winrie takes a wooden stick and tosses it into the fire and watches as the flames leap higher.

You take a few steps toward a wash basin.

Kippe takes a wooden stick and tosses it into the fire and watches as the flames leap higher.

You put a slender blue feather quill in your hooded white cloak.
You remove a lace-trimmed white silk handkerchief embroidered with a budding red heart from in your hooded white cloak.
You put a deep blue cloth-bound journal in your hooded white cloak.

Winrie gives you a friendly hug.

Kippe takes a moment to observe you.
(Subarashi dips her handkerchief in the water and blots at her face.)
You shake your head.

Speaking to Raelee, Chaoswynd says, “I figured as much. Your body language was quite strained when the group walked in.”
You say, “I think it’s passed.” (OOC: LOL NO)

You smile at Winrie.

(Kayse shakes her head slightly to herself.)
Speaking to Chaoswynd, Raelee says, “Historically, few respect a place of work as they should.”

You feel a sudden chill, darkness creeping into your mind, your veins, your limbs. Voices grow dim, faint, then mute. Your sense of sight, smell, touch, numbs. You begin to suffocate…your head pounding…

Speaking to Raelee, Chaoswynd says, “Can’t argue that.”
Raelee takes a moment to observe you.
You shudder.
Winrie gasps.
You weakly say, “I may have been wrong.”
Chaoswynd blinks.
Kippe glances at you and slowly exhales.

… 50 points of damage!
Head and most of upper body turned into a smoking pile of gore!
You feel the protection of your deity’s influence fade.
The brilliant luminescence fades from around you.
The very powerful look leaves you.
The white light leaves you.
The bright luminescence fades from around you.
The glowing specks of energy surrounding you suddenly shoot off in all directions, then quickly fade away.
Your sense of faith and conviction wanes.
You become solid again.
The air about you shimmers momentarily before the evanescent shield surrounding you collapses.
You sense that your attunement to the minds of others has ceased.
The powerful look leaves you.
The opalescent aura fades from around you.
The dim aura fades from around you.
An ethereal golden collection bowl drifts out of your body, then vanishes.
You suddenly feel less protected.
A white glow rushes away from you.
You notice your blood flow go back to normal.
You lose your extra internal fortitude.
The air shivers about you, glistening faintly before stilling to normalcy.
You feel less confident.
You feel your extra strength departing.
The silvery luminescence fades from around you.
The misty halo fades from you.
The brilliant aura fades away from you.
The air calms down around you.
The light blue glow leaves you.
Your breathing becomes more shallow.

It seems you have died, my friend. Although you cannot do anything, you are keenly aware of what is going on around you…

You mentally give a sigh of relief as you remember that the Goddess Lorminstra owes you a favor.

…departing in 10 mins…

Raelee narrows her eyes slightly, studying you with a cool, analytical gaze.
Winrie gasps.
Chaoswynd says, “Err….”
Winrie abruptly asks, “What is going on here?”
Winrie stares at you.
Kippe removes a white flask from in his leather hooded cloak.
Winrie’s face turns slightly pale.
Chaoswynd glances at you.
Kippe forces your mouth open, and pours in a small amount from his white flask.
You feel a tingle on your soul, as if a powerful hand is gently cradling it.
(Thy soul is bound to thy body for an extra 10 minutes and 30 seconds.)
(Kayse suddenly opens her eyes and gazes around the room.)
You say, “That…”
Kippe glances suspiciously around the room.
Kippe put a white flask in his leather hooded cloak.
Speaking carefully to you, Raelee asks, “… what happened?”
Kayse furrows her brow.
Speaking to you, Chaoswynd asks, “You know, it’s not often you see something like that. What exactly did you do?”

Suddenly you have the strangest feeling that you are being watched.
The feeling fades as quickly as it came.

The fire sings its ancient song of security from the dangers of the night as you gaze into the comfortable blaze.

Speaking to Raelee, Kippe asks, “Does this happen often, up here?”
Winrie shivers.
(Kayse opens her mouth to say something then quickly closes it.)
Raelee removes a rune-burned white leather portfolio from in her silk components pack.
You say, “I have no idea…”
Speaking to Kippe, Raelee says, “… no.”
You say, “But I think I know who to ask.”

After this, Winrie was kind enough to see to my injuries, and I made use of the sudden clarity the lack of a body provides to consider things. I’m sure I missed quite a bit in the confusion. Spontaneous head explosion is a new one, even to me, and I’ve been tormented by the best of them in the bad old days.
As She’s done many times before, my Lady blessed me with renewed life, and I spent the remainder of the night considering what happened.

I hope to be available most evenings, if anyone wishes to know more.

Please make this missive available to read in your office. Everyone involved in this needs to know the risks they face.

Sincerely,
Rashi Corleine

(Next to the signature is a glob of dried wax stamped with the seal of a rose in full bloom)

---

OOC notes: Enough people showed up after Rashi died that it probably hit the rumor mill hard and fast. I mean, how often do priestesses’ heads explode?

Also note that this is a letter to the Mayor, asking him to make it available, so I’ll leave it up to him whether it all becomes easily-accessible IC knowledge (just a reply with whether or not it’s pinned somewhere visible will be great).

It’s been a blast since coming back, and I wanna thank everyone involved in the fun we’ve been having in the Landing.

-mark

PS: I’ve severely trimmed this log. My apologies for leaving out anyone, I tried to get everything while trimming out the spam. Also, I haven’t set up proper logging yet since getting back, so the initial messaging that several people seemed to receive got cut off due to scroll before I thought to copy/paste the contents of the game window.