As some of you may have heard there was a great victory for sune this past tenday. In the fields of the dead a few faithful of Sune spent some time vanquishing the undeathly foes including hordes of skeletons as they push through the fields of the dead and into the crypts, once inside they immediately set about destroying the priests and undead at the end of the crypt they defeated a gruesome gargoyle and uncovered a large altar surounded by a pool of blood. The corruption of the area was easily apparent and the stench overwhelming.
They immediately set about consecrating the ground spreading around holy water mixed with silver, but as the spell completed a plague zombie entered the room but was immediately destroyed but more soon followed creating a endless wave of zombies, After several agonizing minutes of fighting down coridoors back towards the entrance they came to a locked door through which they could hear whispers and chanting.
After the party warded they broke down the door charging into the room, they were immediately confronted by several priests whom started launching spells and arrows into the groups midst. The high priestess began to sing a storm ballad summoning a storm of vengeance filling the room with the wrath of Sune in the form of a mighty storm however as she finished her summons for sunes aid she was laid low by the evil priests, however the skilled Calista fought on within the storm and after all the priests lay dead bringing the high priestess back to consciouss.
Among the dead they found a tome of great evil, bound in the runes of the Mistress of Disease Talona, Upon reading the tome they found that it is but one of eight horrid books. It is because of this that the house of beauty is offering a reward of gold and other things for information on their locations.
///a slight delay on this post. but a special thanks to DM bloodlust for the arch enemy
A missive addressed to "High Lady Erza Aldren" arrives at the shrine in Ulgoth's Beard.
The return address is listed as "Acolytes' Quarters, Candlekeep."
A cloaked figurine approaches the temple grounds as the first light of Selûne falls upon the dome atop the building, she smiles as she raises her head to gaze at the moon and pulls her hood back while letting her long silvery hair fall freely over her shoulders.
Shandril takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, placing her shimmering lantern on a bench in the courtyard as she removes her boots and takes a few steps around the soft and dew laden grass, giggling as she shivers slightly then softly she begins to chant in a foreign tongue, an ode to the Moonmaiden for those who comprehend Chondathan.
She twirls around between the orchards in an elaborate dance, the thin fabric of her blue silken gown waving in the gentle nightbreeze as the pale light of the Night White Lady glistens in her eyes.
As her chant comes to an end she drops to her knees and cants her head, a lingering broad smile on her visage as she drifts of in a slumber or trance, her hands clenched so hard around a pair of light imbued star sapphires that only a faint shimmer emerges between her fingers.
Several hours later she gets up from the lawn and is seen walking out the north gate of the city, carrying only her lantern as she saunters into the meadows quietly.
Shandril Brightmantle "Life is but a mystery to revel in, let the stars guide you through the mist."
in the morning two children in their teens are brought to the inn near the temple, With the intent of them living in the temple once construction is complete. Rumor's suggest that these are the children saved by a miracle of Sune cast by the high priestess, After their father was killed and they orphaned. In payment for her blessing Sune had asked that the children would be raised by the high priestess in Sune's love, And so she has taken them in.
The temple grounds and halls are buzzing with activity the past day, at Highnoon a sizable group of the Flaming Fist were seen escorting several members of the temples congregation to their Halls, with a contingent of Sembian's counting amongst their numbers. The Sembians were seen surrendering their arms prior to being admitted and offered sanctuary within the temple, further claims circulate that the group even denounced their Duke and that the council of the temple take full responsibility for their guests.
Those whom would inquire personally found that beyond what has already been shared, there is little to learn of the matter and that no visitors will presently be admitted to the see the guests without permit from either of the three councilors within the halls, unless you are the Dukes themselves. Contradicting claims that the Flaming Fist assembled to prevent the Sembians from gaining amnesty are dismissed by the temple, stating that the Fist only meant to take security measures of a precautionary nature, thus resolving to escort the group.
As the moon rose to set upon her nightly voyage, the halls were filled with a soothing chant as the faithful gathered within the chapel, customarilly a time for prayer, contemplation and the nocturnal practise of rituals, a calm and normal night it would seem. Then amidst the darkest of nightgloom the doors were opened up wide, a large contingent of the Ruby Rose accompanied by several priestesses were seen leaving the temple grounds. Hastened instructions were given and half a candlemark later the delegation of the temple return, but with a larger group in their midst. Onlookers still awake would notice the poor condition of many of the individuals, being supported or carried as the knights and priestesses are able.
The interior of the temple is transformed throughout the night to accommodate for all those in need, healing is dispensed for the more bodily afflictions, as those suffering severe strains on their sanity from the captivity, torture or otherwise unimaginable horrors that befell them, are moved to the clinic upstairs off limits to non-personal. The halls are filled by a myriad of scents from perfumes and incense to the sweet smell of a creamy rabbit soup, courtesy of the voulenteer cook throughout the night, as well as various herbal smells and strong odours from potent healing remedies and the patients they are applied to, baths and warm food is offered as the entirety of the unified congregation within tends to every patient with the utmost and genuine care.
Shandril Brightmantle "Life is but a mystery to revel in, let the stars guide you through the mist."
Word spreads around the city of the Open Stage held in honor of the fallen for the feast of the Moon. Although a little late to start the event included both original pieces and works from long lost friends or loved ones. Among the performers was Moonlady Shandril Brightmantle of the Halls of Inner light, Alejandro, Julia, Aidan, Alcarin, Elyssa, Juke and others!. It was said that unlike the other open stages in honor of those who preformed and honored the fallen everyone received a prize of twenty thousand coins, Supplied by the Halls of Inner Light.
A further announcement was made that tomorrow would be the last day of the Feast of Moon Celebrations. Starting with a blessing of the cemetery and ending with a party held within the newly constructed halls of Inner Light. The doors are open to all those who seek to honor the dead.
(((22GMT tomorrow Dec 4th, We will be starting in-front of the cemetery. Everyone is welcome!)))
Last edited by Ariella on Wed Dec 07, 2016 3:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Today, Alcarin came to the temple in a plain, cotton, red clothes. Her silvery-white hair tied together and hidden by a wide hat not to get dirty, she steps into the temple and sets down two large buckets of red paint with pyrite dust. Then spends a few next hours painting all the wooden door in the temple. She is trying to hum an energetic melody at first but soon that changes to cursing under her breath and back again to humming. When it comes the time she makes herself a small lunch with some white bread, cheese and tea...and gets back to work until everything's finished. After which she cleans up, gathers her things and leaves again.
Niyressa Dawncrow (bio) - Head Magus, Bladestone Foundation "Magic is Chaos, Art, and Science. It is a curse, a blessing, and progress. It all depends on who uses magic, how they use it, and to what purpose. And magic is everywhere. All around us.” - Yennefer
A muddy and sodden pair enter the temple - and after sending up word to speak with someone, they wait in the lobby. A trail of muddy prints leading to where they stand, yet dripping. Rain's got mud up to her belly, and and she goes to stand beside the equally soiled boots of her partner, Michael Dunn. The rest of Rain's fur is sticking up in nearly every direction - signs that she'd shook off prior to entering the temple proper. Michael's left elbow is perched on his blade hilt as he waits, his mud and water heavy cloak hanging limply about his person, an impassive expression is on his face as the target of his visit arrived.
A brief talk is had concerning the level of cleanliness (or lack thereof, in this case) concerning the arrivals. The woodsman cleans up Rain's paws, and then follows the host outside where he wipes off most of the muck with provided materials. A tense discussion occurs without, before the trio later return, and head deeper into the confines.
What happens later of course, is a whole other mess, as Michael would say.
Michael Dunn
“There is more than one sort of prison, Captain," Chirrut said. "I sense that you carry yours wherever you go.”
On the evening of the 4th of Nightal, as the Feast of the Moon celebrations drew to an end, a large gathering took place in the local cemetary to Baldurs Gate. Men and women alike were encouraged to participate in the ceremony, held in honor of those that had passed in the previous year.
Dispensing vials of holy water and dipped white candles to those in attendance, the Halls of Inner Light delegation commenced the ceremony with a speech held by the Moonlady Shandril Brightmantle.
"We are assembled here tonight, in these times of hardship and turmoil. To honor the men and women that have passed beyond this world. Those that were taken from our lives; those who have fallen; those who willingly sacrificed theirs, so that others may live."
"The dead bring memories of joy and sorrows, for the loved ones that linger here still. In rememberance there is grief and sorrow, in rememberance there is beauty and affection."
"Memories of lovers words once spoken; memories of sweet childrens laughter; memories of fierce battlecries as steel clashed on the fields. Memories to rejoice in and treasure, for us that are left to remember."
"War beset these lands and when faced with peril, there was answer in abundance. The past years deeds shall not pass in to history, forgotten."
"Fate has ordained that the men and women who went forth to ensure our safety, now rest in peace beneath the land they sought to protect."
"These brave men and women, knew that there was little to no hope for their recovery. But they also knew that there is hope for those they left behind, cemented by their sacrifices."
"As we commit them to the voyage at the Lady's bidding and the mercy of their gods. They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of Faerun; they will be mourned by a mother that dared send her sons and daughters in to the unknown."
"In their bravery, they stirred the people of this city to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly those that remain in sister- or brotherhood of all that is fair in the realms."
"In ancient days, we looked at stars and saw our heroes in the constellations. In these times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men and women of flesh and blood."
"For every being who looks up at the sky in the nights to come will know that there is a corner of the sea of night above us, forever lit in memory of these noble souls."
"May their brilliant light shine to us that wander here, amidst the world of woven tree's. That from their examples and deeds we may aspire to greatness in our fleeting time upon this plane."
Ending the speech with a moment of silence and bidding those assembled join in the proceedings of the Ritual of Rememberance. With lit candles and solem prayers the assembly visited each grave in the cemetary, bestowing upon them blessings of many gods, as differing as the people that lay burried on the site.
Some visited graves of relatives now gone, uttering heart felt words of sorrow and wails of lamentation, others attended graves of complete strangers with bowed heads in silent respect. As the graveyard became bathed and alit with motes of blue and brilliant dancing lights, the scene took a change for the grim as a pair of freshly dug up corpses were uncovered. Blessing and burying them anew with recitations of funeral passages sacred to various deities, the Ritual of Rememberance came to its conclussion and was followed by a feast in the Halls of Inner Light, engaging in revelry and joyful dancing long in to the night, marking the end of the Feast of the Moon.
Shandril Brightmantle "Life is but a mystery to revel in, let the stars guide you through the mist."
forty two of the Sembian invading force are seen being lead by an angel and a delegation from the halls of inner light to Baldur's Gate. They are stopped at the bridge and questioned by the city watch after a time they are allowed into the city. Before moving in fully their weapons are turned over to the Radiant Heart compound. An additional twenty members from the Men at Arms join this large gathering as it makes its way to the Halls of Inner light.
The Sembians enter the temple and remain their until the ship is ready to take them home in a day or two. The men at arms join with the Ruby Rose to guard both the exterior and interior of the temple as the men remain inside. Its anyone's guess if the guards are there to protect the Sembians from the gate or the gate from the Sembian's. One thing is for sure however, The temple is taking no chances on either. Those who enter the temple see them being treated as anyone else seeking refugee with the goddess's would be. Anyone attempting to pick a fight with the guests would be violating the temples rules and removed quickly by force is necessary.
Lately, the Temple of Inner Light would have had irregular but recurring visits from a young woman. Seeming to prefer to refrain from interactions, but offering a smile and polite words should she be spoken to, she can be seen entering the temple chambers wherein she remains for a time.
Those who have seen her are likely to describe her as young, freckled and often wearing a green cloak.
After having spent a night in prayer at the temple before the statue of Sune, Adelaide makes a request of priestess Erza to rest her head within the temple. The request is granted and anyone in the temple who might ask, would be told that Adelaide seeks clarity of mind and heart, wishing to attend to temple duties for a while. She would prefer to work with her hands and keep herself occupied. Much time would be spent in prayer.
Power is the most persuasive rhetoric. Friedrich von Schiller
After a night spent in the graveyard east of Baldur's Gate, the elf Sirion passes on a map and an amulet to Shandril Brightmantle, apprising her of a situation that requires the attention of clerics.
"They're just furry and misunderstood."
"Is that why you are killing them?"
"Yes. They will atone in death."
"Ah. That will help them understand."
