- - - = = = The Ateraan Toll Sounds = = = - - - 
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   It is Friday, 8:31 of the evening toll.
           November 22nd, 1524.
     After the Fall of the Guardians.
------------------------------------------------
Landscape of Xesta's Mansion

   Construction is being done on the entirety of the estate, tools, ladders,
and other implements spread around in various locations. Ten foot high pointed
iron fencing separates the estate from the streets of Darmahk, ivy wrapping
throughout the bars, overgrown and in much need of trimming. Archways and
pillars are being dismantled, and new additions are being built in their place.
The mansion itself is in the process of having bricks replaced and paint
removed, different windows and awnings being removed or added.


   Obvious exits: foyer and exit.

Two Guards.
Guard dog.

Erma arrives from elsewhere.
Morwyl arrives from elsewhere.
Morwyl leaves exit.

Oakie, Janah and a spirit totem Puffin arrive from elsewhere.
Oakie, Janah and a spirit totem Puffin leave exit.
Erma says mystically, "The spirrits rise"

A female human says mystically, "The spirrits rise"
Erma says mystically, "The spirrits rise"
Erma leaves exit.

Morwyl arrives from elsewhere.
Morwyl leaves exit.

Taelis arrives from elsewhere.
Taelis leaves exit.

Vynlop, Inros, Hrung, Pehr, a spirit totem Rat, Quillie, a spirit totem Llama,
Halistaire, a spirit totem Rook, Zain, Rohen, Zaraia, Jixyli, Janah, Erma,
Ynqell, Sindra, Meryn, Ahdia, Siergoth, Anjelle, a soldier Teak, a soldier
Aspen, a soldier Acacia and a soldier Willow arrive from elsewhere.
Talmaun and Astryn arrive from elsewhere.
Taelis arrives from elsewhere.
Urushna, Skef and Throlwin arrive from elsewhere.

Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin arrive from elsewhere.
Meron arrives from elsewhere.
Urushna looks at Vynlop.
Chozo arrives from elsewhere.
Erma blinks.
Spirit totem Rook soars up to alight atop the fence.
Vynlop stretches out languidly.
Sindra looks at spirit totem Rook.
Vynlop says, "Still not quite time."
You hear a voice, "This is a very spirited lawn."
Vynlop chortles.
Meryn equips Dahkoarim vestments.
Meron unwields Traveler staff.
Urushna looks at spirit totem Rook.
Vynlop says, "Somebody may wanna keep an eye on the Den for any stragglers."
Meron wields Ivory spear.
Quillie looks at Shamanic robe.
Spirit totem Rook makes a few clicking sounds as it preens high above the
proceedings.
Urushna looks at spirit totem Llama.
Meron looks at Ahdia.
Urushna looks at Meron.
Meron looks at Sindra.
Ahdia smiles at Meron.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin leave exit.
Talmaun stops dodging.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin arrive from elsewhere.
Talmaun forms a master stance and prepares to dodge blows.
Vynlop gives a Shamanic drum to Quillie.
Throlwin prepares to dodge attacks.
Vynlop smiles at Quillie.
Chozo stops dodging.
Astryn looks at Backpack.
Meron looks at Chozo.
Oakie whispers to Throlwin.
Chozo smiles at Meron.
->Ahdia ensures she's stood near Siergoth, probably for safety.
Moose the bernard pads up to Talmaun barking loudly.
Moose the bernard drops fifteen elven erbs {lightened}.
Moose the bernard wanders off.
Talmaun gets fifteen elven erbs {lightened} from the Landscape of Xesta's
Mansion.
Talmaun puts fifteen elven erbs {lightened} in Backpack.
Morwyl arrives from elsewhere.
Meron looks at Siergoth.
Morwyl leaves exit.
Throlwin nods at Oakie.
Meron looks at Taelis.
Navolin arrives from elsewhere.

Taelis looks at Meron.
You watch the strange motions of Zain and are somewhat confused by the
special patterns his hands seem to make.
Quillie looks at Shamanic drum.
Meryn lowers her head and raises her arms while calling on the power of
darkness.
Ynqell tightens a dark cord around his waist calling upon the power of
the raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Ynqell's waist, flies above
him and protects him.
Ynqell lowers his head and raises his arms while calling on the power of
darkness.
Rohen hovers his left hand over his right breast and begins an intricate
movement with the right hand, circling it around the waist and then joining both
hands together to begin a prayer.
Oakie looks at Zain.
Jixyli looks at Quillie.
Vynlop says, "Suppose it is that time."
->Quillie taps out a few quiet beats on the drum with her fingertips, testing it
before she glances around at the gathered.
Chozo prepares to dodge attacks.
Chozo tightens a dark cord around his waist calling upon the power of the
raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Chozo's waist, flies above
him and protects him.
Vynlop smiles at Quillie.
Vynlop gets a Grave shovel from the large scabbard
{Grave shovel}.
Vynlop wields Grave shovel.
->Meryn exhales a breath, nodding to Vynlop.

->Vynlop begins to carve a shallow trench into the ground from an eastern point,
moving in a deosil, sunwise direction. The low cut curves from east to south,
west to north, forming a wide circle around the area. He grunts out a welcome to
those gathered as he works, saying, "Thank y'all for comin' tonight and joining
in this undertaking. The Collective and Dahkoarim aim to combine our rites,
using our mystic eye and scrying to find the origin and author of the burnt
parchment. Those not actively participating, please guard us as we work. Stand
with us in silence. Lend us your flames, tighten your raven cords, keep your
wits about ya. Militia, remove any who threaten our work. Our actions will be
slow, deliberate, as we allow the seeds we plant to take root."
Finishing the prayer, Rohen separates both hands and within them is the
fashioning of a raven cord.
Rohen equips Raven cord.
Rohen tightens a dark cord around his waist calling upon the power of the
raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Rohen's waist, flies above
him and protects him.
Oakie motions with both hands forming a protective ward around
him.
Oakie's dark raven returns to the cord.
Oakie tightens a dark cord around his waist calling upon the power of the
raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Oakie's waist, flies above
him and protects him.
Halistaire holds his hand out with the palm up and focuses.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Halistaire's
hand.
Spirit totem Rook cackles raucusly toward the gathering ravens.
Erma holds her hand out with the palm up and focuses.
Pehr holds her hand out with the palm up and focuses.
Zain lowers his head and raises his arms while calling on the power of
darkness.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Pehr's
hand.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Erma's
hand.
Vynlop unwields Grave shovel.
Vynlop puts a Grave shovel in large scabbard.
Vynlop says, "Now. We begin."
Vynlop looks at Backpack.
Inros hovers his left hand over his right breast and begins an intricate
movement with the right hand, circling it around the waist and then joining both
hands together to begin a prayer.
> ->Quillie starts a soft beat on the drum, the sound melodic like the quiet beat
of the heart.
Meryn hovers her left hand over her right breast and begins an intricate
movement with the right hand, circling it around the waist and then joining both
hands together to begin a prayer.
Ynqell hovers his left hand over his right breast and begins an intricate
movement with the right hand, circling it around the waist and then joining both
hands together to begin a prayer.

Finishing the prayer, Inros separates both hands and within them is the
fashioning of a raven cord.
Finishing the prayer, Meryn separates both hands and within them is the
fashioning of a raven cord.
Meryn equips Raven cord.
Finishing the prayer, Ynqell separates both hands and within them is the
fashioning of a raven cord.
->Vynlop secures the shovel before reaching into his backpack and pulling out a
large satchel. The gnome begins to walk a slow and calculated path, retracing
his steps as he carefully pours salt into the inscribed line and begins to
chant.
Inros puts a Raven cord in Pouch.
Inros tightens a dark cord around his waist calling upon the power of the
raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Inros's waist, flies above
him and protects him.
Inros removes Raven cord.
Ynqell puts a Raven cord in Backpack.
Inros gets a Raven cord from the Pouch.
Inros equips Raven cord.
Spirit totem Rat leaps from the perch upon Pehr's skull to float inertly beside
her. His beady orange eyes hone in on Vynlop, unblinking and attentive.
Vynlop says, "By grain and grit of earth and sea, a sacred line I draw with
              thee."
Vynlop says, "Salt of protection, barrier of might, guard this circle from
              chaos' blight."
Vynlop says, "No malice enters, no harm shall pass, bound by this line our
              solemn Mass."
->Quillie continues her steady beat of the drum.
Vynlop gets a Grave shovel from the large scabbard
{Grave shovel}.
Vynlop wields Grave shovel.
Quillie looks at Shamanic drum.
->Vynlop steps back to examine his work, stowing the empty satchel away before
he reaches for the shovel again. With a satisfied grunt, he takes three wide
paces into the circle, as wide as a gnome can manage anyway. Putting the shovel
to the ground, he works the soil from the east along the same pattern as the
first ring. Upon completion, Vynlop pauses briefly, wiping a bead of sweat from
his brow. Pressing the blade of the shovel deeper into the soil, he continues
with steady determination, from the easternmost point, to inscribe a seven
pointed star, its points touching the inner circle to shape a perfect heptagram.
As he works, he chants.

Vynlop says, "Circle within, a gateway deep, paths of truth where secrets
              sleep."
Vynlop says, "With grave digger's blade, I break the ground, through the soil
              the lost is found."
Vynlop says, "Heptagram of seven's grasp, unearth the echoes of the past."
Vynlop unwields Grave shovel.
Vynlop puts a Grave shovel in large scabbard.
Vynlop looks at Backpack.
Somehow you get the feeling that you are being watched from someone afar.
It is not a negative feeling but one of curiousity.

> ->Vynlop returns to the eastern point of the star, securing the shovel once more
before reaching into his backpack. Producing another satchel, he walks the same
slow, deliberate path, letting ash flutter down into the inner circle's trench
and then the shallow cuts of the heptagram.
Spirit totem Rook lifts is head and turns it to and fro.
Vynlop says, "Ashes born of written word, to the soil a tale conferred."
Vynlop says, "By sacred glyph and circle's bind, reveal the source, the hand,
              the mind."
Vynlop says, "Heptagram now sealed with ash, unearth the truth from embered
              past."

Vynlop gets a Burnt parchment from the Backpack.
Vynlop drops a Burnt parchment.
Meron looks at Burnt parchment.
->With the heptagram's seal complete, Vynlop carefully places the burnt
parchment at its center before delicately stepping back to his place and raising
his eyes to those gathered, his gaze solemn and knowing. "Please, join me in
this circle's embrace." He gestures toward the remaining points, guiding Inros,
Jixyli, Meryn, Janah, Zain, and Zaraia to their places with a careful wave of
his hand, each motion resonating with purpose.
Siergoth looks at Burnt parchment.
->From the back, Talmaun twerks a little to the music, getting into the spirit
of it.
Skef looks at Burnt parchment.
->Thump thump...thump thump...continues Quillie's beat on the Shamanic drum as
the ritual continues.
Ahdia gasps.
Quillie looks at Burnt parchment.
Pehr looks at Burnt parchment.
Ahdia looks at Burnt parchment.
->Urushna watches the happenings with interest and intrigue.
Urushna looks at Burnt parchment.
Caellan and a water elemental arrive from elsewhere.
->Hrung thumps the butt of his spear on the groun on every third beat of the
drum.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin leave exit.
->Inros moves to the second point of the ritual diagram, and nods solemnly at
Vynlop.
->Halistaire strides forward into one of the gaps between the named shamans and
their designated points, aiding in filling the circle in.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin arrive from elsewhere.

The parment on the ground begins to glow a faint silver.
> Meron looks at Caellan.

->Caellan acknowledges the gathering with a nod and finds a place beside Taelis.
->Jixyli  walks in a straight line to the third point, turning on a heel sharply
in order to face the center. It is here where she then bows her small frame.
Taelis looks at Burnt parchment.
Caellan looks at Burnt parchment.
Sindra looks at Burnt parchment.
->Meron's eyes dart to the glowing parchment.
Siergoth looks at Burnt parchment.
->Meryn takes a step to her point as directed, taking a position at the fourth
point, facing inward.
Rohen looks at Burnt parchment.
->Pehr takes steady steps forth to aid in filling out the formation. Her eyes
remain in the dull purple flame in her palm, a silent mouthing of words passing
by her lips.
The parchment starts to rise slightly as if some mystical hand is holding
it.
> ->Janah moves to the spot directed at the fifth point, facing inward.
Erma looks at Burnt parchment.
->Ynqell takes another empty spot in the growing circle.
Ynqell looks at Burnt parchment.
Urushna blinks and steps back, gripping her staff cautiously.
Quillie looks at Shamanic drum.
->Quillie continues her steady, heart beat-like tapping on the drum.
Throlwin whispers to Oakie.
->Zain makes his way to the sixth point quietly and turns to face the center
while keeping his hands folded together.

Meron leaves exit.
->Moving to the seventh point of the circle Zaraia nods at Vynlop and faces
inwards.
You hear a voice and recognize that of Kaisa but it is far away and broken,
it is...tortured it seems and you can only make out a few words,
"...far..am...far..held..." it seems to come through the markings and the
parchment itself.

> Caellan follows Taelis.
Morwyl arrives from elsewhere.
Morwyl nods at Oakie.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin leave exit.
->Rohen bows his head concentrating.
->After each of the ritualists take their positions and listening to the voice,
Vynlop steps back to the space between the salt and ash rings. With cautious
deliberation, he begins a slow, sunwise path around the inner circle, ensuring
the sanctity of the ritual's heart remains undisturbed. His steps bring him
first behind Inros at the second point, just south of the easternmost point of
the heptagram. Pausing there, he intones with weight, "Inquisitor Inros." At his
words, the ashes beneath Inros shimmer faithfully, the glow of their potential
awakening.
->Erma silently stands just outside of the heptagram, listening and watching
silently, hand on her charm.
->Urushna's gaze softens, and a gasp escapes her.

->Quillie thumps the drum, moving from the heel of her hand to her fingertips
with every other beat.
Morwyl looks at parchment.
Morwyl looks at Burnt parchment.
Urushna looks at Burnt parchment.
->Inros breaths deep of the night air, lifting his head as he beseeches his dark
God to lend aid to the ritual at hand, "Darkest God, Lord of Shadow, Death, and
Secret. Part the veil and reveal to us your wisdom and impart upon us your
knowledge." He gestures toward the scrap of Parchment where it floats within the
ritual's bounds, as if directing some unseen force.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin arrive from elsewhere.
Shalivar arrives from elsewhere.
Meron arrives from elsewhere.
Morwyl leaves exit.

->Shalivar slips his hands into his over-sized sleeves and bows formally to the
ceremonial group.
You feel the spirit of Dahkoar and it is oppressive and powerful. The
parchment spins in the air as if it is being controlled.
> ->Continuing along his pensive path, Vynlop approaches the next point of the
heptagram and stops behind Jixyli. Reaching into his backpack, he retrieves a
crystal and dagger, offering them reverently to her. "Shamanka Jixyli," he says,
his voice steady and calm. As Jixyli's name is spoken, the ashes at her point
flicker to life, glowing faintly with an ember's warmth.
Vynlop gets a Blue flame dagger {gripped} {sharpened} from the
Backpack.
Vynlop gets a Blue crystal from the Backpack.
Vynlop gives a Blue flame dagger {gripped} {sharpened} to
Jixyli.
Vynlop gives a Blue crystal to Jixyli.
Meron looks at Shalivar.
Jixyli wields Blue flame dagger {gripped} {sharpened}.
->Hefting the dagger with her left hand, Jixyli takes the fine edge across her
right palm, piercing it with a clean cut. She takes the crystal after carefully
handing the dagger back to Vynlop. Holding her arms forward for all to see the
blood dripping from her palm, she cradles the blue crystal with great care in
that hand. Casually extending the fingers of her left hand, a purple flame
appears, its tendrils dancing upwards slowly at first. It increases in tempo and
size as she recites in a voice loud and clear, "By the gleam of azure light,
crystal true, imbue your might. Guarding force, steadfast and strong, shield us
all where we belong."
Jixyli holds her hand out with the palm up and focuses.
->Despite the unusual movement of the Burnt parchment, Quillie continues her
steady rhythm on the drum as she watches the ritual unfold.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Jixyli's
hand.
->Erma shivers slightly.

Jixyli unwields Blue flame dagger {gripped} {sharpened}.
Jixyli gives a Blue flame dagger {gripped} {sharpened} to
Vynlop.
Vynlop puts a Blue flame dagger {gripped} {sharpened} in
Pouch.
->Meron lingers far apart from the circle, and the goings on, watching for
anything out of order, as she stands guard.
->With a measured nod, unusual for those that know him well, Vynlop resumes his
circuit, moving toward the star's next point where Meryn stands. His steps
calculated, he stops just behind her and speaks with quiet authority, "High
Priestess Meryn." The ashes at Meryn's feet pulse faintly, their heat whispering
with promise.

> Neka arrives from elsewhere.
->Meryn bows her head, letting an ancient dialect whisper from her lips as she
prays to Dahkoar, finally speaking aloud, "Let our prayers be heard this night
as we seek to find the answers to the question we posit. Praise Dahkoar and all
His glory." She then turns her eyes to the burnt parchment as if willing it to
speak further.
Meryn tightens a dark cord around her waist calling upon the power of the
raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Meryn's waist, flies above
her and protects her.
Brokken arrives from elsewhere.
Meron looks at Brokken.
->Brokken keeps out of the way.
Erma smiles.
->Brokken nods in thanks to Hrung.
->Stepping with care along the ritual's perimeter, Vynlop reaches Janah's
position. He produces another crystal and dagger from his backpack, extending
them toward her. His voice purrs in a ritualistic cadence, "Shamanka Janah."
With her name spoken, the ashes at her feet stir to life, casting a soft, ruddy
glow.
Vynlop gets a Emerald dagger {gripped} {sharpened} from the
Backpack.
Vynlop gets a Green crystal from the Backpack.
Vynlop gives a Emerald dagger {gripped} {sharpened} to Janah.
Vynlop gives a Green crystal to Janah.
Janah wields Emerald dagger {gripped} {sharpened}.

Quillie looks at Shamanic drum.
->Quillie continues to tap out the heartbeat-like rhythm on the Shamanic drum.
->Janah takes a hold of the dagger and slices along her right palm, placing the
crystal within her palm the blood smearing along the crystal with long forgotten
runes she draws upon the crystal as the blood drips to the ground, she calls
upon the sacred flame with her left hand held out palm upward while she speaks
clearly, "Focus clear, with crystal bound in blood, guide our sight this night
to reveal and strengthen the mind."
Janah holds her hand out with the palm up and focuses.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Janah's
hand.
Janah unwields Emerald dagger {gripped} {sharpened}.
Janah gives a Emerald dagger {gripped} {sharpened} to Vynlop.
Vynlop puts a Emerald dagger {gripped} {sharpened} in
Pouch.
The parchment continues to spin, but slower, gentler as it floats and
moves at each interval.
> 
->His small steps unbroken, Vynlop continues to Zain's place at the northernmost
point. He halts behind the High Priest, his voice steady and unwavering as he
says, "High Priest Zain." At the utterance of Zain's name, the ashes at his
point begin to smolder faintly, heat rolling softly beneath the surface.

Landscape of Xesta's Mansion

   Construction is being done on the entirety of the estate, tools, ladders,
and other implements spread around in various locations. Ten foot high pointed
iron fencing separates the estate from the streets of Darmahk, ivy wrapping
throughout the bars, overgrown and in much need of trimming. Archways and
pillars are being dismantled, and new additions are being built in their place.
The mansion itself is in the process of having bricks replaced and paint
removed, different windows and awnings being removed or added.


   Obvious exits: foyer and exit.

Brokken.
Neka.
Meron.
Shalivar.
Spirit totem Puffin.
Oakie.
Water elemental.
Caellan.
Chozo.
Navolin.
Pehr (holding a burning flame).
Throlwin.
Skef.
Urushna (watching and listening intently).
Taelis.
Astryn.
Talmaun.
Soldier Willow.
Soldier Acacia.
Soldier Aspen.
Soldier Teak.
Anjelle.
Siergoth.
Ahdia.
Meryn.
Sindra.
Ynqell.
Erma (holding a burning flame).
Janah (holding a burning flame).
Jixyli (holding a burning flame).
Zaraia.
Rohen.
Zain.
Spirit totem Rook.
Halistaire (holding a burning flame).
Spirit totem Llama.
Quillie.
Spirit totem Rat.
Hrung.
Inros (at the second point).
Vynlop.
Two Guards.
Guard dog.

Burnt parchment.

> ->Zain bows his head and whispers a quiet prayer. Tendrils of darkness begin to
flow over his shoulders down across his robes, pooling at his feet. He then
lifts his arms and begins. "Oh, great Lord Dahkoar, keeper of Shadows. We lift
our voices to your eternal gaze unto darkness, where the unseen cannot hide from
your might. Guide us through this veil and make known that which is hidden from
sight. Reveal to us the path obscured, be to us the mirror that sees all and let
us witness your will, unclouded and unwavering. May your Shadows forever guide
us true."
Zain tightens a dark cord around his waist calling upon the power of the
raven of Dahkoar for protection.
A dark raven materializes from the cord about Zain's waist, flies above him
and protects him.

Hrung looks at parchment.
Hrung looks at Burnt parchment.
->As he rounds the circle, Vynlop approaches Zaraia's place, the final point of
the heptagram. From his backpack, he retrieves the last crystal and dagger,
presenting them with a slight bow. "Shamanka Zaraia," he declares, the lilt of
his speech nearing its crescendo. The ashes at her feet ignite softly, their
warm red glow joining the others in the heptagram's completed form.
Vynlop gets a Ruby dagger {gripped} {sharpened} from the
Backpack.
Vynlop gets a Red crystal from the Backpack.
Vynlop gives a Ruby dagger {gripped} {sharpened} to Zaraia.
Vynlop gives a Red crystal to Zaraia.
Zaraia wields Ruby dagger {gripped} {sharpened}.
Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin leave exit.
Suddenly the guards and guard dog retreat from the area and words of
Dahkoar enter your mind, "Familiars not attuned should depart as they
distract."

> Oakie and a spirit totem Puffin arrive from elsewhere.

->Quillie bows to the Spirit totem Llama gracefully.
Spirit totem Llama unlinks with Quillie's spirit and disappears.
Spirit totem Rat narrows his eyes and speaks quietly in Pehr's ear before
vanishing..
Spirit totem Rat unlinks with Pehr's spirit and disappears.

> ->Quillie bows to the Spirit totem Llama gracefully.
->Quillie bows to the Spirit totem Llama gracefully.
Spirit totem Rook takes wing and soars off into the night sky.
Caellan dissolves a water elemental.
Caellan snaps his fingers.
->Quillie bows to the Spirit totem Llama gracefully.
Spirit totem Rook unlinks with Halistaire's spirit and disappears.
->"With crystal flame and fire, show us our true desire, let the words be heard
as the amber burn." Zaraia says with a strong voice, as she summons her flame
and slices her right palm with the ruby dagger.
Zaraia holds her hand out with the palm up and focuses.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Zaraia's
hand.
->Quillie bows to the Spirit totem Llama gracefully.
->Quillie bows to the Spirit totem Llama gracefully.
->Quillie's steady beating of the drum continues despite the disconnection of
her Spirit totem.
->Oakie grins at Puffin as he taps his beak and with a tap, he leaves in a PIP
of energy.
Zaraia unwields Ruby dagger {gripped} {sharpened}.
Zaraia gives a Ruby dagger {gripped} {sharpened} to Vynlop.
Spirit totem Puffin unlinks with Oakie's spirit and disappears.
Vynlop puts a Ruby dagger {gripped} {sharpened} in
Pouch.

->With the circle complete, Vynlop returns to his starting position at the
easternmost point. The faint glow from the ashes within the trenches spreads
into a quiet radiance, each point resonating with the energies of its bearer.
Vynlop holds his hand out with the palm up and focuses.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Vynlop's
hand.

> ->Drawing himself tall, not always easy for a gnome, Vynlop raises his voice for
all to hear, "Our paths are set, the light entwined. We turn now to shadow's
embrace. Honored Dahkoarim, I call upon you. Shroud us in darkness, so that the
cosmos may guide our sight beyond the veil of flame and ash."
Dolzbo arrives from elsewhere.
Quillie looks at Shamanic drum.
->Weaving her hands, Meryn lets the beginnings of tenebrous shadows pour about
her before whispering out an ancient prayer.
Meryn waves a hand and the area becomes darker.
->Quillie thumps on the drum, mirroring the steady beat of her heart.

->Oakie says in between the moments in between, his voice carrying just loud
enough. "Please, everyone dismiss ya followers. By the will of Dahkoar."
> 

> ->Zain bows his head once more.
Zain holds his hands to the ground and from them a silvery black aura
rises and swirls briefly in the area.


> Rynna arrives from elsewhere.
Inros lowers his head and raises his arms while calling on the power of
darkness.
Rynna waves.
Meron prepares to dodge attacks.
Siergoth protects Ahdia.
->Vynlop clenches his fist, extinguishing the small flame in his palm. In the
enveloping darkness, faint sounds echo as he unwinds his hand wraps and draws
forth a jagged crystal blade from its scabbard.
Vynlop removes Simple cloth hand wraps.
Talmaun waves at Rynna.
Vynlop gets a shard {gripped} {razored} from the large
scabbard {shard {gripped} {razored}}.
Vynlop wields shard {gripped} {razored}.
Anjelle, a soldier Teak, a soldier Aspen, a soldier Acacia and a soldier Willow
leave exit.
->Pehr's breathing grows steady, engulfed in the darkness and shielded from
view.
->By the flickering light of the other shamans' flames and the faint glow of the
ashen embers beneath the ritualists' feet, one might faintly make out
silhouetted movements as Vynlop drags the razor edge of the crystal shard across
his right palm, a glint of crimson catching the dim glow. Wiping the blade clean
on his cloak, he sheathes it before letting blood pool in his cupped hand.
Vynlop unwields shard {gripped} {razored}.
Vynlop puts a shard {gripped} {razored} in large scabbard.

Rynna's magic shield flashes and disappears.
->Vynlop's silhouetted form raises his left hand to dip a thumb into the blood
pooling in his palm, in the darkness he appears to smudge the blood into a mark
just above his brow in the center of his forehead.
Vynlop holds his hand out with the palm up and focuses.
A low burning purple flame expands and burns in the center of Vynlop's
hand.
->Vynlop raises his right hand, forming a fist and letting blood drip steadily
into his flame. Each drop hisses as it meets the ethereal fire, causing it to
spark and intensify, casting brighter light into the shrouded space. Turning his
gaze upward to the dark expanse above, Vynlop chants melodically, "Oracle of the
cosmos, we call to thee. Unfurl the dance of worlds unseen. Guide us, that their
strength may bind and empower our rite."
Urushna feels around a bit.

->A sudden brilliance pierces the darkness above as seven points of light
emerge, glowing brighter with each moment, casting their celestial gaze upon
Vynlop and the assembled ritualists. The motes of light flare and pulse with
energy, their radiance mirrored in the embered ashes of the heptagram, which
intensify their glow in response to the cosmic connection. One by one, each
point of light pulses in turn, and with every pulse, a strange, alien glyph,
resonating with otherworldly energy, etches itself in each angle of the
heptagram's seven points.
Vynlop gets a shard {gripped} {razored} from the large
scabbard {shard {gripped} {razored}}.
Vynlop wields shard {gripped} {razored}.
->Vynlop grips the jagged blade of the crystal shard in his bloodied palm,
lifting his arm to extend the hilt outward like a wand, its pommel aligned east.
Stepping back, the gnome begins his sunwise path between the two rings once
more. His voice carries reverence and purpose as he chants, "Spirits of this
world. Dahkoar, Waylumi, Ateraan. Align your power with those of unseen worlds.
Let our sight be true, let our rites intertwine. Guide as we seek, and lead us
to find."
->Quillie adjusts the drum on her hip, her rhythmic beat continuing despite the
shift of her movement.
Quillie looks at Shamanic drum.
Oakie leaves exit.
->With each ritualist that Vynlop passes in his circumambulation, the heptagram
pulses with surging power. The incongruous glyphs blaze with brilliant light,
summoning haunting, wispy forms that spiral outward to encircle the ritual. The
spectral figures seem to feed the rite with otherworldly energy. As Vynlop nears
the easternmost point once more, the air hums with a crackling charge, the whir
of energy intensifying. The phantasmal forms rotate faster, their motion
building toward a zenith in the shrouded darkness, resonating with the echoes of
distant realms.

> 
->Returning to the star's first point in the east, Vynlop turns toward the burnt
parchment at the ritual's center, lifting the flame in his palm. The surrounding
darkness coalesces, drawn toward his flame's glow. From his barely illuminated,
silhouetted form, an ethereal eye manifests, its mystic gaze cast upon the
parchment.
Oakie arrives from elsewhere.
->Meron slips out quietly.
Astryn looks at Burnt parchment.
Meron leaves exit.
->Inros utters a prayer to Dahkoar, seeking knowledge and vision beyond the
Dark, allowing himself to be guided toward the truth of these matters as he
focused upon the Parchment.

->Focusing on the scorched parchment in the center, Jixyli's black eyes seem to
grow darker though unmoving. From an indistinct point near her third eye, a
mystic one seems to float forth. As if the parchment was pulling it closer, the
shamanka's weave drifts serenely towards the parchment before seeming to vanish
or perhaps absorb into the center of the burnt page.
Quillie has reconnected.
->Meryn bows her head, concentrating on the parchment as she seeks out its
conception with her scry. Prayers toward Dahkoar are whispered - a mantra as she
allows her mind to be guided toward its source.
Urushna listens in the general area.
->With her focus upon the parchment as if floats in the center of the heptagram,
an ethereal eye the same shade of hers manifests before Janah turning its
mystical gaze upon the parchment.


> Meron arrives from elsewhere.
->Meron slips back in quietly, resuming a guard position.
Quillie has reconnected.
->Zain graps his pendant and begins a chant of ancient words as his gaze becomes
focused on the parchment. The dark tendrils continue to flow across the ground
at his feet.
->An ethereal eye appears above the burnt parchment as Zaraia let forth an
effert of will. The eye spins slowly but faster and faster before it stops and
the eye gglow with a midnight blue.

Meron blinks.
->As the ritualists unify their rites, a heavy silence descends. The circle's
power intensifies, converging upon the burnt parchment, while the apparitions
surrounding the heptagram fade into nothingness. Vynlop and the ritualists stand
entranced, lost in a solemn, focused silence. They wait.
A light from afar appears in the night sky and you see that it is focused
on Darmahk and the Mansion where Vynlop and others perform a ritual.

The parchment stops spinning and while floating in midair you feel as if
the watcher from earlier touches your mind and through it, the parchment. In
that moment you feel as though the Oracle has sent a distant mystical
enlightening and the parchment glows.

> Ahdia looks at Burnt parchment.
Siergoth looks at Burnt parchment.
Meron looks at Burnt parchment.
Skef looks at Burnt parchment.
Kestarian arrives from elsewhere.
Dolzbo looks at Burnt parchment.
Neka looks at Burnt parchment.
Kestarian looks at parchment.
Rohen looks at Burnt parchment.
Meryn looks at Burnt parchment.
Quillie looks at Burnt parchment.
Zain looks at Burnt parchment.
Inros looks at Burnt parchment.
Kestarian puts two parchments in Backpack.
Taelis looks at Burnt parchment.
Vynlop looks at Burnt parchment.
Janah looks at Burnt parchment.
Sindra looks at Burnt parchment.
Throlwin looks at Burnt parchment.
Kestarian puts a parchment in Pouch.
Navolin looks at Burnt parchment.
Brokken looks at Burnt parchment.
Halistaire looks at Burnt parchment.
Zaraia looks at Burnt parchment.
Kestarian looks at Burnt parchment.
Urushna looks at Burnt parchment.
Oakie looks at Burnt parchment.
Pehr looks at Burnt parchment.
Ynqell looks at Burnt parchment.
Siergoth looks at Burnt parchment.
The parchment settles back down to the ground and then begins to burn as
a shimmering flame appears above it with the letters: K A I S A
> After the flames the parchment disappears but you notice a flicker of
light far away.
You destruct Burnt parchment.
>

You hear a voice, "Well, I feel enlightened."

You feel a strange presence and the ground seems to shake slightly but
not dangerously.

> Quillie raises her eyebrows.



> 
Landscape of Kaisa's Mansion

   Construction is being done on the entirety of the estate, tools, ladders,
and other implements spread around in various locations. Ten foot high pointed
iron fencing separates the estate from the streets of Darmahk, ivy wrapping
throughout the bars, overgrown and in much need of trimming. Archways and
pillars are being dismantled, and new additions are being built in their place.
The mansion itself is in the process of having bricks replaced and paint
removed, different windows and awnings being removed or added.


   Obvious exits: foyer and exit.

Kestarian.
Meron.
Oakie.
Rynna.
Dolzbo.
Brokken.
Neka.
Shalivar.
Caellan.
Chozo.
Navolin.
Pehr (holding a burning flame).
Throlwin.
Skef.
Urushna (watching and listening intently).
Taelis.
Astryn.
Talmaun.
Siergoth.
Ahdia.
Meryn.
Sindra.
Ynqell.
Erma (holding a burning flame).
Janah (holding a burning flame).
Jixyli (holding a burning flame).
Zaraia (deep in a trance).
Rohen.
Zain (standing at the sixth point).
Halistaire (holding a burning flame).
Quillie.
Hrung.
Inros (at the second point).
Vynlop (holding a burning flame).
Four Guards.
Two Guard dogs.


> ->Inros shifts slightly, along with the ground to keep his balance.
->Meron keeps her balance, ears flattening slightly.
->The ground does not move Urushna in the darkness.
You see the flaming letters settle onto the landscape.

> ->Erma nearly trips her slight form, but she kees her ballance.
->Pehr sways with the ground, but remains focused upon the spirit flame on her
hand.


> ->Talmaun blinks at the sign on the lawn.

Taelis raises her eyebrows.
A strange parchment that seems to be burning, floats into the room and as
it lands some of it falls apart.

===================================================
 This parchment is burnt around the edges and torn
 in places as if it has traveled some distance.
 A long piece of coffee colored hair is stuck to 
 the bottom of the parchment.
===================================================

To any who f~n~ thi~:
I am the form~r slave ma~st~r and aspi~ing Bar~n~ss Kai~a,

I am still get~ing help from a ~~~~~~~ but I am s~~~~ held  
hos~ta~e.

***{this area is burnt and not legible}***

...pleas~ I will let you kno~ wh~~ I have e~cape~ 
with a l~~~er

***{the rest of the page is torn off}***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


>The parchment smells like smoke but has a hint of what you remember Kaisa
smelling like mingled with salty ocean air.

> You feel charcoal smudges and you can tell this parchment was burnt after it
was written on but it is clear that the script is like Kaisa's style of
writing.

Erma looks at Burnt parchment.
Meryn looks at parchment.
Kestarian looks at Burnt parchment.
Jixyli looks at Burnt parchment.
Navolin looks at Burnt parchment.
Rohen looks at Burnt parchment.
Inros looks at Burnt parchment.
Neka looks at Burnt parchment.
Meryn looks at Burnt parchment.
Vynlop looks at Burnt parchment.
Skef looks at Burnt parchment.
Erma raises her eyebrows.
->Quillie hugs the drum in her arms.
Meron looks at Burnt parchment.
Zaraia looks at Burnt parchment.
Throlwin looks at Burnt parchment.
Janah looks at Burnt parchment.
Quillie looks at Burnt parchment.
Taelis looks at Burnt parchment.
Halistaire looks at Burnt parchment.
Oakie looks at Burnt parchment.
Dolzbo looks at Burnt parchment.
Siergoth looks at Burnt parchment.
Zain looks at Burnt parchment.
Ahdia looks at Burnt parchment.
Hrung looks at Burnt parchment.
Pehr looks at Burnt parchment.
Urushna looks at Burnt parchment.
Brokken looks at Burnt parchment.
Shalivar looks at Burnt parchment.
Vynlop gets a Grave shovel from the large scabbard
{Grave shovel}.
->Meron trys to make sence of the new parchment.
Vynlop unwields shard {gripped} {razored}.
Vynlop puts a shard {gripped} {razored} in large scabbard.
Vynlop wields Grave shovel.
->The glow of the circle dims, its power dissipating as the rite reaches its
conclusion. Looking around the changed landscape and note Vynlop loses his fist,
extinguishes the flame in his palm and sinks to his knees. With quiet purpose,
he retrieves the shovel one final time and begins to bury the rings and
heptagram with care. His voice carries a soft chant, barely audible over the
stillness: "Let balance remain. By the will of the cosmos, it is done."



=====================**********=====================

THE END

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