Present Darkness (Epic)
| MIN LEVEL | START LOCATION | START REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Cathedral Catacomb (4,5) | Must possess: Ring of Righteousness |
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DetailsA beautiful Elven Spirit hovers in front of the stone sarcophagus. The Spirit ignores you completely. As you step towards the Spirit you feel a gentle calm well up within you. Your Warrior instincts make you instantly feel on edge as you assume that some form of spell is being weaved upon you. But the Spirit seems only momentarily aware of you, then She looks through you as if trying to struggle to regain a long forgotten memory. You hold out your hand and give the Spirit the Ring with the ancient symbol of the Light. But she ignores it and the ring falls through your fingers and into the Rune carved deeply into the stone beneath her floating feet. You see the ring lying in the Rune, but are reluctant to retrieve it from an unknown magical device. You stand there for a while not really sure what to say or do... Nothing happens... As the Spirit ignores you completely you look closely at her face. You see no lines or scars. There is no sign of aging of any kind. Then a haze passes over her face for an instant, then is gone. You blink and on an impulse try to touch her face. She carries on ignoring you utterly and your hand actually goes through her face like water in a stream. But as you take your hand back you find it covered in sand. You look at the Spirit expecting Her to be angry at you, but she just carries on staring into the middle distance as if in a trance. Maybe you could find something that would help the Spirit remember. You receive 1 x Handful of Sand Return to Brother Richard and tell him what's happened. You approach the Priest King of the Utapo. He watches you with a cold glare, 'What is your reason for disturbing my peace Warrior?' The ruby hilt shines in your palm, the Lich tilts its head. Then slowly takes the dagger from you. 'You give me tribute. I have not been honored like this in thousands of years. I remember...' The creature's words suddenly choke in its throat. You see grief burn in its eyes for a moment. Then the King sits back and looks at the Dagger. 'This Dagger speaks to me greatly. Time has its own edge that can cut for good or ill.' The Priest King then falls silent as if trapped in a memory. The Priest King sits silently on his lonely throne, a great sadness is etched into his withered face. You stand there not knowing what to do when the ancient Lich slowly raises his head. 'So, you have bested the Tomb. What is it you want?' Looking at the Rune, the Undead Lord's eyes grow wide, 'Where ... did you find this?' You feel the Lich's eyes lock onto you and you resist the sudden impulse to run under his dark unblinking gaze. With words thick with fear you manage to say, 'The Rune was found in the Cathedral of Ways. A spirit of an Elf stands over it, we need to find out what the Rune is as it seems important to the Spirit. We think it is the key to her identity.' The Lich then leans forward, interested for the first time, 'Why is the Living concerned with the woes of the Dead?' His identity startles you. You lick your lips against the terror that swells within your chest. After a deep breath you mumble, 'There was an earthquake and the sun was blotted from the sky. From the shaking of the Mountain Path, a stair to an unknown catacomb was revealed. Within was found a sarcophagus and the Spirit apparently guarding the Rune carved into the floor. We think that the Shadow Lord is rising again and this Spirit might have something to do with it.' At the mention of the Shadow Lord the Lich snarls, 'The Shadow Lord's one purpose is to destroy. What he cannot destroy he corrupts to his purpose. You must never traffic with him or those bound to his will. Nothing good can come of it. But refusing him can also have its costs. I lost my entire kingdom and now have an eternity to contemplate my failure ..." The Lich slumps back on his cold throne, 'But, if I had the choice all over again. I would not alter my decision. Knowing that is its own personal torment, but I do see one glimmer of destiny open to me. Perhaps ... perhaps this is it. My chance ...' The Lich looks at you, his gaze erupting with determination. 'That Rune is a Seal. Placed upon a being that the Shadow Lord could not kill nor control. To the Spirit, speak the words: Luar oan Idra! That will loosen the magic briefly, enough for her to see and communicate with you, but I'm afraid I do not possess the knowledge to break it.' The Lich then points to Carris behind you, 'I briefly met your companion there. I was expecting a violent confrontation. I was pleasantly surprised by her candor and honesty. But I see her axes are not as potent as she deserves.' He then hands you two small vials, 'Instruct your companion to apply this venom onto her weapons. She must use the whole vial for each of her axes.' You receive 1 x Twin Venom Vials & 12,475 XP. Anger seems to boil up within the Lich for an instant, then dissipate almost instantly leaving only a vague hopelessness. 'I am sorry Warrior. But this is all I can do. Maybe your destiny will lead you back here. At that time I hope I can be of more assistance to you. You will find a stairway down to the Gate behind my throne. I wish you well with your endeavors.' You should tell Carris it's time to leave |
