The voices in my head grow and grow. Many challenges found in the temples have been overcome, but there is still the summit to be reached. The voices grow louder as more and more heroes step up to attempt the discovery of the portals and Mask's chamber.
"Perhaps it's time" Mask thought to himself, "to give them that push they need."
With a burst Mask travelled to the Weeping child located at the entrance to the Shadow Temples. Then placing his voice on the wind he muttered to the Realms of an open forum.
"In half days time I shall answer three questions total to any and all participants related to the secrets of the Shadow Temples. The information you see to overcome the challenges could be found if you ask the right questions."
OOC - In about 30 minutes, I'll answer 3 questions about anything you'd like related to the shadow temples. All are welcome to listen and join in on the RP. This is a one time happening so call your friends. I'll post an RP note follow up after the forum.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query label:Mask. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query label:Mask. Sort by date Show all posts
first question
As the group gathered closer to Mask he spoke
'I do not have much time on this plane of existence'
'I will be able answer only three questions about the temple.'
The group that had gathered around, namely Belldandy, Inigo, Psycho and Order Knights Xzar and Raistlin. The group quickly decided that they would devise the questions together and attempt to answer some of their most difficult questions. Of all the questions that they could ask it would be difficult to boil it down to only three, but the group was quick to decide on a few.
When the group had decided the first question it was Psycho who spoke for the group.
'Okay I believe we have come to some consensus'
'Before I ask the questions I want to say Thank you for hearing our prayers.'
'The time is nearing and you are all growing wearing of the circles. I hope to bring back the hope.'
'We appreciate the help and are dedicated to freeing you from your prison and breaking the spell plague.'
'Our first question is regarding the Book of Shade Magic.'
'How do we reach the person that can translate the book?'
Mask chuckled at the question before he spoke again
'A great question, but I'm sure the answer is not what you want.'
'I do not have much time on this plane of existence'
'I will be able answer only three questions about the temple.'
The group that had gathered around, namely Belldandy, Inigo, Psycho and Order Knights Xzar and Raistlin. The group quickly decided that they would devise the questions together and attempt to answer some of their most difficult questions. Of all the questions that they could ask it would be difficult to boil it down to only three, but the group was quick to decide on a few.
When the group had decided the first question it was Psycho who spoke for the group.
'Okay I believe we have come to some consensus'
'Before I ask the questions I want to say Thank you for hearing our prayers.'
'The time is nearing and you are all growing wearing of the circles. I hope to bring back the hope.'
'We appreciate the help and are dedicated to freeing you from your prison and breaking the spell plague.'
'Our first question is regarding the Book of Shade Magic.'
'How do we reach the person that can translate the book?'
Mask chuckled at the question before he spoke again
'A great question, but I'm sure the answer is not what you want.'
prayers for a dying monk
The Order had clashed with the warriors of Shar protecting Belldandy's escape. Their defensive position had entrenched them within the body of the confrontation. The warriors of Shar were fierce creatures with the head of a dragon the body of a lizard and the temperament of a caged weasel. The Order fought them back but Belldandy's action must have triggered their anger; after her escape the warrior engraved. We had been on the Fields of Shar previously and the dragomen where never like this before. The fight had drained a lot of effort; yet The Order had successfully withstood the attack and had suppressed the warriors aggression. What ever she had done she was keen to have hidden the body of the unbinding ritual from the Order.
Since the battle The order had been trying to play catchup, a game they were not used to playing. The group had gathered at the temple every night in numbers for the past week. They had become stuck with something that seemed so simple. Restore the dying monk.
The dying monk would likely help them with the unbinding ritual. The Nexus Monk himself had proven less than helpful. But the dying monk fought for the words to speak to the group. The group felt the task of freeing the gods slipping from their gasp. Psycho sensed the growing tension within the group and so he ventured to Material Plane and within The Temple of Mask and knelt before Mask's statue and began to pray.
'Oh Mask, Lord of the Shadows savior of The Nexus Temple and the City of Shade please hear my prayers. When we last spoke I asked about the unbinding ritual. I have had significant difficulties preforming the ritual and my men are growing weary. I implore you to again speak with us and help us to reach the Nexus Library. We have fallen behind and without guidance I fear that our resources may not hold, and we will be forced to remove our camp within the Shadow Temple. We still maintain our pledge to free the god and restore Magic and Order to the realms again.'
Since the battle The order had been trying to play catchup, a game they were not used to playing. The group had gathered at the temple every night in numbers for the past week. They had become stuck with something that seemed so simple. Restore the dying monk.
The dying monk would likely help them with the unbinding ritual. The Nexus Monk himself had proven less than helpful. But the dying monk fought for the words to speak to the group. The group felt the task of freeing the gods slipping from their gasp. Psycho sensed the growing tension within the group and so he ventured to Material Plane and within The Temple of Mask and knelt before Mask's statue and began to pray.
'Oh Mask, Lord of the Shadows savior of The Nexus Temple and the City of Shade please hear my prayers. When we last spoke I asked about the unbinding ritual. I have had significant difficulties preforming the ritual and my men are growing weary. I implore you to again speak with us and help us to reach the Nexus Library. We have fallen behind and without guidance I fear that our resources may not hold, and we will be forced to remove our camp within the Shadow Temple. We still maintain our pledge to free the god and restore Magic and Order to the realms again.'
The Sacred Nexus Temple
Shadows appeared throughout the Nexus Temple even though the whole place was bathed in light. A place like this made it hard to know what was real and what was Shadow. Training as a Temple Guardian with the monks of the material plane hadn't prepared me for anything like this. Aside from the Weeping Child there were two other people who lived in the Nexus Temple whether they were real or just shades couldn't be told but they kept an order to the Temple. The Nexus Librarian was an odd man, if a man at all. Seemingly he had the face of a child but the rest of him seemed that of someone who had seem many, many years with a long silvery white beard. I spent hours with him talking about history and lore but he'd mostly tell me that I was meddling with magic in which I shouldn't be meddling. He had a love of the lost objects of time and history. The ones no one cared about anymore. And I even got him to yield when he saw what I had brought him. There wasn't much to go on but that's when I saw it. Or did I? The Silhouette of a Shadow? What was that... How come I hadn't seen it before.
The rooms and spirits of the Temples hid him well but as I turned to last room, I saw the flicker of Shadow again. The Mask that appeared before me melted into the surroundings and yielded into the surroundings but the figure remained. His strong build and tight clothing portrayed a very skilled and nimble man. It seemed he was more a shadow than a man at this point, if ever he had been a man. His fu-manchu was visible under the black satin hood and jet black hair. After we stared at each other for a moment he broke the silence.
"I didn't think anyone would come, it's been so long." It seemed as if he were happy about this but it was very hard to tell. "Come, I'll show you the way through the Shadows." With speed I had trouble keeping up with he ran through the Temple. His movements more shadow steps than actual jumps and running.
"Wait up!" I cried as I almost lost him around a corner. And it seems he intended this because as I rounded the corner the strong arms grabbed me and halted my progress and I cried out. A quick hand gently closed my eyelids and I felt the world arou
Rain poured door on the battlefield of Shar. The Radiant Hearts were engaged with the Knights of the Temple in a clash that was awesome to behold. The warriors of Shar whose numbers were endless charged at their hastily put together fortification. A Knight with blazing white fire surrounding his scimitars cut through their ranks, circling as a dervish would and felling the Shar Warriors. Meteors fell from the heavens at the command of Red Robed Wizards and I even saw a bear twice as large as the halfling strider beside it cleave one of the warriors in half. I couldn't watch any longer, I was running out of time and I didn't want to lose a chance for the shadows to help me.
The Shadow was waiting for me by the imprisoned spirit. The Rose he held in his hand was blackened and withered and he stared at it both in admiration and in longing. As I walked closer he walked up to me and handed me the Rose, it crumbled in my hand into ash and dust. He looked up at the spirit of Karsus and nodded.
"His folly undid it all. What a fool to have thought he could save his people from fate, it doesn't take courage for a man as powerful as he once was to battle fate, he knew better." The words seemed to anger the spirit but he was powerless to do anything. Lifeless from the spell his own hands had cast. "You're different you know, you seem to want to set things right. I've shown you this part of the puzzle. It will take more than just your heart to right this wrong though. I hope you have friends."
"The ones I have are here, and the ones to come, they'll want to help to." As I spoke I heard the Temple doors burst open and the shadow that was next to me vanished. Knights and Radiant Heart soldiers and Inigo rushed into the temple and as the rooms filled and the last to enter turned, I saw the endless battlefield. The Warriors of Shar chasing down stragglers. Six knights and 4 members of the Radiant Order pushed the doors closed as the Warriors charged the door.
The rooms and spirits of the Temples hid him well but as I turned to last room, I saw the flicker of Shadow again. The Mask that appeared before me melted into the surroundings and yielded into the surroundings but the figure remained. His strong build and tight clothing portrayed a very skilled and nimble man. It seemed he was more a shadow than a man at this point, if ever he had been a man. His fu-manchu was visible under the black satin hood and jet black hair. After we stared at each other for a moment he broke the silence.
"I didn't think anyone would come, it's been so long." It seemed as if he were happy about this but it was very hard to tell. "Come, I'll show you the way through the Shadows." With speed I had trouble keeping up with he ran through the Temple. His movements more shadow steps than actual jumps and running.
"Wait up!" I cried as I almost lost him around a corner. And it seems he intended this because as I rounded the corner the strong arms grabbed me and halted my progress and I cried out. A quick hand gently closed my eyelids and I felt the world arou
Rain poured door on the battlefield of Shar. The Radiant Hearts were engaged with the Knights of the Temple in a clash that was awesome to behold. The warriors of Shar whose numbers were endless charged at their hastily put together fortification. A Knight with blazing white fire surrounding his scimitars cut through their ranks, circling as a dervish would and felling the Shar Warriors. Meteors fell from the heavens at the command of Red Robed Wizards and I even saw a bear twice as large as the halfling strider beside it cleave one of the warriors in half. I couldn't watch any longer, I was running out of time and I didn't want to lose a chance for the shadows to help me.
The Shadow was waiting for me by the imprisoned spirit. The Rose he held in his hand was blackened and withered and he stared at it both in admiration and in longing. As I walked closer he walked up to me and handed me the Rose, it crumbled in my hand into ash and dust. He looked up at the spirit of Karsus and nodded.
"His folly undid it all. What a fool to have thought he could save his people from fate, it doesn't take courage for a man as powerful as he once was to battle fate, he knew better." The words seemed to anger the spirit but he was powerless to do anything. Lifeless from the spell his own hands had cast. "You're different you know, you seem to want to set things right. I've shown you this part of the puzzle. It will take more than just your heart to right this wrong though. I hope you have friends."
"The ones I have are here, and the ones to come, they'll want to help to." As I spoke I heard the Temple doors burst open and the shadow that was next to me vanished. Knights and Radiant Heart soldiers and Inigo rushed into the temple and as the rooms filled and the last to enter turned, I saw the endless battlefield. The Warriors of Shar chasing down stragglers. Six knights and 4 members of the Radiant Order pushed the doors closed as the Warriors charged the door.
Behold the virtues
Mask responded to the amazement 'I can sense you don't believe me, I will be at the High Monk.'
With that Mask vanished from the clouds.
The group ran to the monk, killing several Legandary Vesserab along the way. When the arrived they saw him. Mask stood at the High Monk still holding the four virtues.
When the group reassembled Mask knelt before The High Monk.
The monk acknowledged Mask's virtues and handed him a shiny black key.
The group had only once more question remaining, and it had better be a good one. The concern of how to reach the Nexus Library was at the tip of their tongue, but it was important to ask the question the proper way.
The group had some more discussion before they were ready to ask their final question.
The decided the best way to the shadow realm and the nexus library was through the unbinding ritual.
Psycho asked their final question. 'Can you show us the unbinding ritual?'
Mask again chuckled at this response. 'I can not show you the ritual directly, because it is a very delicate process.' 'I can however show you where the true archway is '
With that Mask vanished from the clouds.
The group ran to the monk, killing several Legandary Vesserab along the way. When the arrived they saw him. Mask stood at the High Monk still holding the four virtues.
When the group reassembled Mask knelt before The High Monk.
The monk acknowledged Mask's virtues and handed him a shiny black key.
The group had only once more question remaining, and it had better be a good one. The concern of how to reach the Nexus Library was at the tip of their tongue, but it was important to ask the question the proper way.
The group had some more discussion before they were ready to ask their final question.
The decided the best way to the shadow realm and the nexus library was through the unbinding ritual.
Psycho asked their final question. 'Can you show us the unbinding ritual?'
Mask again chuckled at this response. 'I can not show you the ritual directly, because it is a very delicate process.' 'I can however show you where the true archway is '
ghost from the present
With The ghost from his past still in him mind Psycho contemplated the ghost of actions current. The drinks had flowed through Psycho the night through giving him time. Time to reflect upon the Ahdonis the ghost of the actions present, the black sheep. There had been a pass of time since the loss of a member. Ahdonis had an altercation with Mask, and a running history of problems with some of the other key members. Although it pained him to lose an active and able body that was willing to fight and die for the cause, group moral was of key importance.
The Courage of One can Change the Destiny of Many. These words that held the Order together and reminded him that it was not only his pleasure to groom his flock, but it was his duty. It was his responsibility to assure that not only where his members growing in their ability but that they were becoming reputable Knights in their own Light. He had fought for Ahdonis at the time of Ahdonis's dismissal from the Order, and had continued to support the lost soul. The world is a cold an lonely place. Would Psycho's past impact the current situation, or was Ahdonis too much of a disruptive force. The weaves of fate had sung its song in Psychos ears and with or without Ahdonis a great new day was quickly approaching.
The initial and secondary responses had come and not been well recieved but Ahdonis was persistent in his effort.
Please let me return Brother, I will show you how I have grown. I will not cause any more trouble and am sorry for my behavior. I am trying very hard, but things are difficult on my own without the Order.
These words echoed through Psycho, how many times he sought in his immortal life precisely the same thing, acceptance. He had felt the same kind of love for Sune since his conception. The pain of separation and the sting of life was something Psycho could hear in Ahdonis's words. Depending on the Order's decision, which would come from the laws set forth in the Code of Ethics, Ahdonis' may be sent into the wild, or may return under harsh restrictions. Psycho knew that he had lived under entirely different circumstances and in the end his resilience and suffering had made him a better person.
The Courage of One can Change the Destiny of Many. These words that held the Order together and reminded him that it was not only his pleasure to groom his flock, but it was his duty. It was his responsibility to assure that not only where his members growing in their ability but that they were becoming reputable Knights in their own Light. He had fought for Ahdonis at the time of Ahdonis's dismissal from the Order, and had continued to support the lost soul. The world is a cold an lonely place. Would Psycho's past impact the current situation, or was Ahdonis too much of a disruptive force. The weaves of fate had sung its song in Psychos ears and with or without Ahdonis a great new day was quickly approaching.
The initial and secondary responses had come and not been well recieved but Ahdonis was persistent in his effort.
Please let me return Brother, I will show you how I have grown. I will not cause any more trouble and am sorry for my behavior. I am trying very hard, but things are difficult on my own without the Order.
These words echoed through Psycho, how many times he sought in his immortal life precisely the same thing, acceptance. He had felt the same kind of love for Sune since his conception. The pain of separation and the sting of life was something Psycho could hear in Ahdonis's words. Depending on the Order's decision, which would come from the laws set forth in the Code of Ethics, Ahdonis' may be sent into the wild, or may return under harsh restrictions. Psycho knew that he had lived under entirely different circumstances and in the end his resilience and suffering had made him a better person.
The Deceiver and the Spirit
"Get word to the rest of the Order, get them here NOW. And..." The knight with gleaming armor and fiery swords picked up a spear and threw it through the cracks in the closing doors and killed the share warrior trying to get in. "And close that damn door, we are NOT losing this Temple to these demons."
Slowly the whole temple was turned into an army barracks. They took up positions and the magic users began teleporting to the roof of the temple and hurling balls of fire down on the shadowy battlefield. After helping bring in some of the wounded and even spending a round on the roof that harmed enough of them to get them to back off the Temple for a moment, I looked around for Inigo. He was nursing his bears wounds, a large gash across the shoulder blades had been dressed and bandaged already but the large beast wasn't going to take it lying down. The bear sat up and gave a goofy tongue lolling grin as it saw me.
"Bell! There ya are, whatever happened in there!" He rushed to me and hugged me around the waist.
"You act like you haven't seen me in a week!" I exclaimed. "Well yeah, about a week since you disappeared in there. All hell has broken loose since you left, as you can see." He gestured around.
" I've only been there for a few hours... Ok maybe a whole day... How could.. Maybe time doesn't mean anything in the Nexus Temple. " I thought hard about everything and before long I saw one of the children that had been forced to spend their youth in this Temple pull my robes. "You're not supposed to be here! Go back to where you were! Through there!" The little child pointed behind the spirit of Karsus and although all I saw were the murals of Insanity etched into the walls, as I got closer, I felt that I could walk through it. I grabbed Inigo, and we came out at the nexus monk. We were inside the circle of stones and the Warriors, although completely surrounding the circle, didn't dare cross it.
We entered the temple again, with the decaying fragments of the Rose. It wasn't long before the we coaxed the Librarian to let us proceed. He still complained that we were meddling but said he wasn't the one to stop us if we had to continue. I wondered how the battle went outside. From what I knew of Shar and Mask, they were Mother and Son, and sworn enemies. What would cause such a clash in this place, I couldn't begin to understand yet. After providing a book, and a card, the librarian told us that the High Priest of Mask was the only one who could help us. The High Priest was a daunting figure, cloaked in shadow and temperamental. He asked us for our most valuable trinkets and in the end I gave up the Orb of Power that I had forged after years of study just to see what he had to offer.
It was then, that the shadowy figure appeared again.
Slowly the whole temple was turned into an army barracks. They took up positions and the magic users began teleporting to the roof of the temple and hurling balls of fire down on the shadowy battlefield. After helping bring in some of the wounded and even spending a round on the roof that harmed enough of them to get them to back off the Temple for a moment, I looked around for Inigo. He was nursing his bears wounds, a large gash across the shoulder blades had been dressed and bandaged already but the large beast wasn't going to take it lying down. The bear sat up and gave a goofy tongue lolling grin as it saw me.
"Bell! There ya are, whatever happened in there!" He rushed to me and hugged me around the waist.
"You act like you haven't seen me in a week!" I exclaimed. "Well yeah, about a week since you disappeared in there. All hell has broken loose since you left, as you can see." He gestured around.
" I've only been there for a few hours... Ok maybe a whole day... How could.. Maybe time doesn't mean anything in the Nexus Temple. " I thought hard about everything and before long I saw one of the children that had been forced to spend their youth in this Temple pull my robes. "You're not supposed to be here! Go back to where you were! Through there!" The little child pointed behind the spirit of Karsus and although all I saw were the murals of Insanity etched into the walls, as I got closer, I felt that I could walk through it. I grabbed Inigo, and we came out at the nexus monk. We were inside the circle of stones and the Warriors, although completely surrounding the circle, didn't dare cross it.
We entered the temple again, with the decaying fragments of the Rose. It wasn't long before the we coaxed the Librarian to let us proceed. He still complained that we were meddling but said he wasn't the one to stop us if we had to continue. I wondered how the battle went outside. From what I knew of Shar and Mask, they were Mother and Son, and sworn enemies. What would cause such a clash in this place, I couldn't begin to understand yet. After providing a book, and a card, the librarian told us that the High Priest of Mask was the only one who could help us. The High Priest was a daunting figure, cloaked in shadow and temperamental. He asked us for our most valuable trinkets and in the end I gave up the Orb of Power that I had forged after years of study just to see what he had to offer.
It was then, that the shadowy figure appeared again.
The Weeping Children
The night was filled with shadows after we had received Mask's aid. As usual, I couldn't sleep. I'd often divine where sorrow was in the world when I had tried correcting it and to have it so close to me was painful. The lost apprentice paced back in forth in the circle, more apparition than actual person. I shed my invisibility spells and tried talking with him but he proved not to enjoy such banter. The gift the Weeping Child had given me did catch his attention though and after a small ritual bright light burst through the circle and engulfed me. I was somewhere else, a new temple. One I hadn't been in before. Again sobs filled the air, and the cries of a child no more than six or seven echo'd in a room full of light.
The sorrow ran deep in this place. Shar and her touch was visible though out the temples but this was different. Sitting next to the Weeping Child I put an arm around him to comfort him. He talked much better after coaxing him to speak about his brother whom I had met in the ruins. He couldn't remember how to enter the City of Shade and that's why he and his brother were stuck here. He was grateful to know his brother still lived and I began to think of my own loss. Such young eyes to have seen so much, I thought to myself. A tear came across my own eyes and the boy gave me a rose. It was dirty and old but it was a rose nonetheless and I thanked him for it.
It wasn't long ago that I had chosen a mortal form. Chosen it so I could be with him. To descend from the stars and influence the world directly rather than by inspiration. It seemed like a dream, as if it hadn't really happened at all. Such as things are when recollecting them, the past is so fleeting, so misleading and so filled with foolish fancy and poor memory. Some things would drown in a sea of forgetfulness if not for the simple words we take for granted. This place was more Illusion than anything else. I wondered why the shadows seemed to flicker and take on lives of their own...
It was years earlier, the Summer Sun radiated warmth down into the valley. It was all a dream, like some insane play. The girl in a lightweight blue and white dress that didn't cover her arms or go below her knees was me. And there he was, I was filled with happiness just to see him in the dream but I knew it couldn't last. There was no life where death had already claimed what is inevitably his. Their lips met and then the horns could be heard. Faint at first but then like thunder off the mountain. The pale green skin of the former elves turned orcs could be seen even from a distance. A distance that was diminishing quickly. His arm grabbed her as they ran for the cabin they had built. How could she not have seen this, she knew the art, the old ways, the divination spells. Dream faded into nightmare as blood pounded in her head and no matter how her legs burned, they just weren't fast enough. Then I could feel magic exploding around them as curses landed close to us. I searched frantically through the small bag I had brought and couldn't find the spell components I needed. The sharp ring of a sword being drawn sent shivers up my spine as I knew what he was going to do. The Hoard of orcs chased us down, I could hear hear metal against metal but having no weapons I continued to flee. In could feel it in my soul how bad I wanted my bag of spell components. I wanted to turn and rain down fire from the heavens upon them. But the Orcs clawed hand grabbed at my dress which tore. And then another hand tripped me as it grabbed my ankle. And yet another grabbed my risk and as they turned me over to do horrible things to me, I found the stone I'd needed in my little bag. I closed my eyes and thought of the a place these orcs would never find me.
I shivered on the floor of the white castle. Screaming in horror and crying historically, the others members of the order that was such a large part of my life came running.
The sorrow ran deep in this place. Shar and her touch was visible though out the temples but this was different. Sitting next to the Weeping Child I put an arm around him to comfort him. He talked much better after coaxing him to speak about his brother whom I had met in the ruins. He couldn't remember how to enter the City of Shade and that's why he and his brother were stuck here. He was grateful to know his brother still lived and I began to think of my own loss. Such young eyes to have seen so much, I thought to myself. A tear came across my own eyes and the boy gave me a rose. It was dirty and old but it was a rose nonetheless and I thanked him for it.
It wasn't long ago that I had chosen a mortal form. Chosen it so I could be with him. To descend from the stars and influence the world directly rather than by inspiration. It seemed like a dream, as if it hadn't really happened at all. Such as things are when recollecting them, the past is so fleeting, so misleading and so filled with foolish fancy and poor memory. Some things would drown in a sea of forgetfulness if not for the simple words we take for granted. This place was more Illusion than anything else. I wondered why the shadows seemed to flicker and take on lives of their own...
It was years earlier, the Summer Sun radiated warmth down into the valley. It was all a dream, like some insane play. The girl in a lightweight blue and white dress that didn't cover her arms or go below her knees was me. And there he was, I was filled with happiness just to see him in the dream but I knew it couldn't last. There was no life where death had already claimed what is inevitably his. Their lips met and then the horns could be heard. Faint at first but then like thunder off the mountain. The pale green skin of the former elves turned orcs could be seen even from a distance. A distance that was diminishing quickly. His arm grabbed her as they ran for the cabin they had built. How could she not have seen this, she knew the art, the old ways, the divination spells. Dream faded into nightmare as blood pounded in her head and no matter how her legs burned, they just weren't fast enough. Then I could feel magic exploding around them as curses landed close to us. I searched frantically through the small bag I had brought and couldn't find the spell components I needed. The sharp ring of a sword being drawn sent shivers up my spine as I knew what he was going to do. The Hoard of orcs chased us down, I could hear hear metal against metal but having no weapons I continued to flee. In could feel it in my soul how bad I wanted my bag of spell components. I wanted to turn and rain down fire from the heavens upon them. But the Orcs clawed hand grabbed at my dress which tore. And then another hand tripped me as it grabbed my ankle. And yet another grabbed my risk and as they turned me over to do horrible things to me, I found the stone I'd needed in my little bag. I closed my eyes and thought of the a place these orcs would never find me.
I shivered on the floor of the white castle. Screaming in horror and crying historically, the others members of the order that was such a large part of my life came running.
A Mortal Arrives
Mask listened intently as he heard footsteps in the rooms just north of his private chambers. Could it be that someone had finally traversed to the final Temple, to Mask's very own private chambers?
After a few moments a mortal figure appeared in Mask's private chambers unbeknowest of his presence in the room. Mask grinned as she lurked about cautiously. Mask recognized her as Belldandy and simply stood in the shadows making sure not to be noticed.
"Was it a fluke?" Mask thought to himself, yet many times Belldandy would come and go from his chambers.
"It's time," Mask told himself, "there is enough light that I can now grant Belldandy her reward for being first of hopefully many more mortals to visit me. More importantly though, I can now take mortal form, challenge them, and guide them into the City of Shade so that I can once again travel freely between realms."
After a few moments a mortal figure appeared in Mask's private chambers unbeknowest of his presence in the room. Mask grinned as she lurked about cautiously. Mask recognized her as Belldandy and simply stood in the shadows making sure not to be noticed.
"Was it a fluke?" Mask thought to himself, yet many times Belldandy would come and go from his chambers.
"It's time," Mask told himself, "there is enough light that I can now grant Belldandy her reward for being first of hopefully many more mortals to visit me. More importantly though, I can now take mortal form, challenge them, and guide them into the City of Shade so that I can once again travel freely between realms."
mask appears
No sooner than Psycho had situated Hannibal's shackles he got an urgent message from his team stationed at The Shadow Temple. Raistlin contacted Psycho clearly and with a twang of surprise in his connection.
'My Lord, please come quick there is something important happening at the temple. A Ghost of Mask has appeared before the camp and is asking for those leading the effort to rescue him.'
'You have done well brother! I will be there ASAP.'
'I have already prepared transport for you.'
Within moments Psycho was transported to the base of The Shadow Temple. There indeed was Mask standing within the clouds, near the weeping child.
Mask was not nearly as clear as the signal Psycho had recked from Raistlin. The God was a fragment of his truepower, still locked away within The Shadow Realm. Even in his weakened state he was a sight for sore eyes.
That meant not only was it not too late to save the gods, but also that they wanted to return.
As Psycho drew close he saw the Knights of the Order were not the only group to notice Mask's presence.
'My Lord, please come quick there is something important happening at the temple. A Ghost of Mask has appeared before the camp and is asking for those leading the effort to rescue him.'
'You have done well brother! I will be there ASAP.'
'I have already prepared transport for you.'
Within moments Psycho was transported to the base of The Shadow Temple. There indeed was Mask standing within the clouds, near the weeping child.
Mask was not nearly as clear as the signal Psycho had recked from Raistlin. The God was a fragment of his truepower, still locked away within The Shadow Realm. Even in his weakened state he was a sight for sore eyes.
That meant not only was it not too late to save the gods, but also that they wanted to return.
As Psycho drew close he saw the Knights of the Order were not the only group to notice Mask's presence.
Character Biography - Mask
Mask is the mysterious god of shadows, thievery and thieves. His symbol is a black velvet mask tinged with red. He is depicted as wearing a cloak that allows him to fly, become invisible, and when the hood is placed up, appear as any other being in an impervious illusion. His domains are Darkness, Evil, Luck, and Trickery.
Worshippers of Mask tend to hold their services in dimly lit vaults, and the followers and priests all wear heavy garb and masks. Because of the clandestine nature of the religion, little to nothing is known about its current state in the Great Realms.
Worshippers of Mask tend to hold their services in dimly lit vaults, and the followers and priests all wear heavy garb and masks. Because of the clandestine nature of the religion, little to nothing is known about its current state in the Great Realms.
second question
The answer had been simple and to the point. The translator was beyond our current ability. He would be located within the shadow realms itself.
While the book would contain valuable information it was still out of reach.
The group again huddles up and discussed the answer to their question in an attempt to focus the coming questions. It would be pertinent to not waste the remaining questions on information we could not use yet.
After discussion had slowed again it was Psycho who spoke the groups question. 'We have been able to locate two of the four virtues; Temperance and Fortitude.' 'How can we demonstrate the remaining virtues to the Head Monk.'
A quite murmur spread over the group in anticipation.
'So you want to know how you can demonstrate Wisdom and Justice to the High Monk?'
It was not only Psycho that replied to this 'Yes' 'Yep'
'Yes' and 'Indeed' could all be heard in response to the God's question.
Mask produced two items.
Psycho was amazed at his own shortsightedness.
'I think these might work ' The group had tried similar items but stood amazed.
While the book would contain valuable information it was still out of reach.
The group again huddles up and discussed the answer to their question in an attempt to focus the coming questions. It would be pertinent to not waste the remaining questions on information we could not use yet.
After discussion had slowed again it was Psycho who spoke the groups question. 'We have been able to locate two of the four virtues; Temperance and Fortitude.' 'How can we demonstrate the remaining virtues to the Head Monk.'
A quite murmur spread over the group in anticipation.
'So you want to know how you can demonstrate Wisdom and Justice to the High Monk?'
It was not only Psycho that replied to this 'Yes' 'Yep'
'Yes' and 'Indeed' could all be heard in response to the God's question.
Mask produced two items.
Psycho was amazed at his own shortsightedness.
'I think these might work ' The group had tried similar items but stood amazed.
Unleashing the Shadows
Mask sat in silence and darkness. The never ending silence and darkness that he had grown accustomed to had long lost its weight on his mind. Time held no place in his mind anymore and all hope was lost. Mask had accepted the ill fate of solitude and had found his solace with it. His own mind became his playground and he walked the fine lines of insanity as he joyously shifted, molded, and sculpted his own adventures in his mind.
Another day in darkness. Mask had come to find it humorous how he constantly lived in the shadows, hidden from the light wishing it was all but gone. Now all he could ask for was a glimmer or a hint of light to forge the shadows he loved. It had been who knows how long since Mask had opened his eyes, there was no point since without light there was nothing to look past.
Today though, today was different. A feeling swept across and felt throughout. Could it be a shimmer of light? Mask opened his eyes slowly, then shut them quickly. The burn, the pain, the new light. It had arrived, but where did it come from? Who had brought it?
Mask spoke with a surge that echoed through the prison he had been locked it, a call to those who had brought the new light to the Shadow Temples.
"You who have come unknowingly into my prison, seek me out and find me and you shall be rewarded with the secrets of the power of the Shadow Realms"
Mask sat back down and patiently awaited for those to arrive in his chambers.
Another day in darkness. Mask had come to find it humorous how he constantly lived in the shadows, hidden from the light wishing it was all but gone. Now all he could ask for was a glimmer or a hint of light to forge the shadows he loved. It had been who knows how long since Mask had opened his eyes, there was no point since without light there was nothing to look past.
Today though, today was different. A feeling swept across and felt throughout. Could it be a shimmer of light? Mask opened his eyes slowly, then shut them quickly. The burn, the pain, the new light. It had arrived, but where did it come from? Who had brought it?
Mask spoke with a surge that echoed through the prison he had been locked it, a call to those who had brought the new light to the Shadow Temples.
"You who have come unknowingly into my prison, seek me out and find me and you shall be rewarded with the secrets of the power of the Shadow Realms"
Mask sat back down and patiently awaited for those to arrive in his chambers.
the true archway
Again Mask disappeared from the group's vision.
Only this time the group found themselves being folding into the fabrics of time and space. Within moments the entire group that was gathered within the temple found themselves on another plane of existence.
Mask himself had become a bit more tangible. We must be close to his actual resting place.
'I am not sure if this will suffice your question, but '
'When you have the required components to preform the ritual come here.'
'This is where the true archway lies.'
'It doesn't look like much but if you preform the ritual correctly here you will find your path to the Nexus Library.'
The information Mask had given them had been invaluable. The entire group sat in silence as their final question had been answered. They all stared at mask in anticipation of what would happen next.
'It has been a great effort to sustain myself away from my body.'
'I must leave again but you gathered hear today are our best hope.'
'Stay vigilant and I wish to see you all again soon.'
His time on the plane had expired and Mask's form began to deteriorate into shadows on the ground. As he faded, the group discussed what they had learned.
It would give them a new foothold and reenergize their efforts.
Psycho and his Knights returned to camp, to write down all they had seen.
Only this time the group found themselves being folding into the fabrics of time and space. Within moments the entire group that was gathered within the temple found themselves on another plane of existence.
Mask himself had become a bit more tangible. We must be close to his actual resting place.
'I am not sure if this will suffice your question, but '
'When you have the required components to preform the ritual come here.'
'This is where the true archway lies.'
'It doesn't look like much but if you preform the ritual correctly here you will find your path to the Nexus Library.'
The information Mask had given them had been invaluable. The entire group sat in silence as their final question had been answered. They all stared at mask in anticipation of what would happen next.
'It has been a great effort to sustain myself away from my body.'
'I must leave again but you gathered hear today are our best hope.'
'Stay vigilant and I wish to see you all again soon.'
His time on the plane had expired and Mask's form began to deteriorate into shadows on the ground. As he faded, the group discussed what they had learned.
It would give them a new foothold and reenergize their efforts.
Psycho and his Knights returned to camp, to write down all they had seen.
The Order and the True Archway
This temple opened with the same key and we found an encampmen the Order of the Radiant Heart had been here a long time. We had found footholds throughout the many temples but this was where they had made their base. They were focused on an Archway. A darkened gateway with a powerful guardian who destroyed any that opposed him. He was not unable to be reasoned with though. The trials he demanded of those seeking to pass through the true archway.
Inigo and I made our camp on there outskirts of the Temple, away from a massive battle that was taking place to the south. The Order would even join the knights who guarded the temple from time to time, but their goal and ours was to find the true archway of the City of Shade. We had all come so far but with each passing day we grew weary. There were a few oddities and more markings in the temple. The most disturbing of all in this place was the shattered Spirit of Karsus, the undoer of the weave, the one whose folly forced Lord Shadow to conceal the floating city Shade of the Netheril in the Shadow Realms.
This the scrolls could tell us but we would be given help another way. After losing track of how long we were within the shadow temple Masks message came to us. It was at this time we had to make ourselves known to each other and it seemed the Order had known much. There was enough time to ask only three questions.
He had brought us back to the weeping child again but we soon traversed into the Temple, further than ever. The most important revelation was that of where the true Archway lay hidden. It was where the ritual must be performed. And where a strange circle and a man who would only tell us he was the lost apprentice stood.
The Order marched back to their base encampment, the leaders conversing in hushed tones and wild gesticulations. Inigo and I stared at each other and we studied the area. Trying to figure out how a whole Archway could be concealed here.
Inigo and I made our camp on there outskirts of the Temple, away from a massive battle that was taking place to the south. The Order would even join the knights who guarded the temple from time to time, but their goal and ours was to find the true archway of the City of Shade. We had all come so far but with each passing day we grew weary. There were a few oddities and more markings in the temple. The most disturbing of all in this place was the shattered Spirit of Karsus, the undoer of the weave, the one whose folly forced Lord Shadow to conceal the floating city Shade of the Netheril in the Shadow Realms.
This the scrolls could tell us but we would be given help another way. After losing track of how long we were within the shadow temple Masks message came to us. It was at this time we had to make ourselves known to each other and it seemed the Order had known much. There was enough time to ask only three questions.
He had brought us back to the weeping child again but we soon traversed into the Temple, further than ever. The most important revelation was that of where the true Archway lay hidden. It was where the ritual must be performed. And where a strange circle and a man who would only tell us he was the lost apprentice stood.
The Order marched back to their base encampment, the leaders conversing in hushed tones and wild gesticulations. Inigo and I stared at each other and we studied the area. Trying to figure out how a whole Archway could be concealed here.
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