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[Hall of the Gods, Main Chapel]

The Temple has been carved from the ice of the glacier. A vaulted ceiling rises above
you, carved with faint designs, and thick pillars etched with the symbols of the gods rise
to meet the dome. The walls glimmer with light from the moon, adding divine ambiance to
an already spectacular chamber. To the northwest is a passage, seemingly brighter than
the rest, while the tunnel to the southeast looks darker than you would think possible in
the well-lit Temple.

Also in the room: Elendr who is seated

Obvious exits: west, northwest, southeast, out.

You ask, "Elendr?"

Ilvane smiles uneasily.

(Elendr begins to crawl farther into the corner... but looks up at Ilvane instead and turns
around.)

You wring your hands.

Elendr blinks.

Elendr asks, "Yes?"

You say, "I know you don't like me much.."

Elendr furrows his brow.

Elendr cocks his head at you.

Elendr asks, "Is something the matter?"

You say, "But Thulvier..he has his sphere.."

You nod.

You say, "And Vonka.."

You say, "She is going to be hurt.."

(Ilvane runs her hands through her hair)

Elendr says, "Vonka is not going to be hurt."

You say, "Thurfel..he said.."

Elendr gazes heavenward.

You say, "I didn't think Thulevier was lying.."

Elendr says, "Vonka will not be hurt until she actively states she will not merge with
Thulevier."

Elendr says, "Until that time, she has little to worry about."

(Elendr glances at the corner once again, still puzzled, but turns his attention quickly to
Ilvane.)

You say, "Thurfel says he was never with a woman, and was rather fixated with the dead."

You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.

Elendr says, "But if she does choose to help Thulevier, at the very least she will have him
to protect her. If she chooses not too, Thurfel will not protect her."

Elendr blinks at you.

Elendr asks, "Who hurt me?"

The voice asks, "Has Thurfel threatened Vonka, then?"

You say, "That lich.."

Elendr says, "She does not hurt me."

Elendr furrows his brow.

You ask, "Does she take your soul?"

Elendr says, "Occasionally she drains me, but only because I want her too. "

Elendr frowns at you.

You ask, "You want her to?"

You blink.

Elendr says, "Of course. I will not see Thurfel defeat her."

Elendr frowns.

You say, "I find it rather painful to lose my spirit.."

(Elendr pulls his legs into his chest and wraps his arms around them.)

You ask, "Thurfel is no better, but you trust them?"

Elendr says, "It may be painful, but we all go through painful things for those we love."

Elendr says, "Yes I do. Gavrail can not lie to me. She and I are two who are as close to
one as it comes."

You say, "And voice...he hasn't threatened Vonka.."

Elendr says, "You speak to Gavrail, you may address her as such."

A soft, low voice says, "We will need spirit to destroy the Betrayer. Elendr shares, he
does not feel pain."

You say, "But he did say she is lost, if Thulevier got his sphere."

You pace back and forth.

Elendr says, "He is lying... to win you over to his side."

You say, "I am not on Thurfel's side, at all."

Elendr says, "He needs you... so you won't rise up against him before he attempts to
destroy the council."

You say, "I have never been on his side."

Elendr says, "But others may be."

Elendr says, "I am speaking in a general sense."

The voice adds, "He will say anything, good lady. Trust me on this."

You nod.

You say, "I know."

You say, "Ever since he killed Halfberry, and lied..and did the things he did..I could not
bring myself to trust him."

You say, "Silly as it may sound."

You say, "I just can't bring myself to side with nine others who wish to destroy my home
to get to one."

You nod to Elendr.

Elendr says, "Ilvane, I trust Gavrail because she has been kind to me for many many
months now. She has not harmed me. I only wish others could see that all they wish for
is to see their betrayor destroyed and then to sleep."

You ask, "You understand that?"

Elendr says, "Many of them are maddened in their rage to get at Thurfel. And like it or
not, much of the town sides with him."

Elendr says, "So unfortunately yes, they will kill. But we can not stop them in their rage."

Elendr frowns.

The voice lightens as it says, "The Nine, as we are called, do not wish to destroy your
home, m'lady. It is our home, too."

Elendr smiles fondly as he looks off towards the corner he was previously interested in.

You say, "That Thurfel said he owes a debt to Amasalen..that is plenty to alarm me.."

You ask, "You don't wish to destroy the town, or the people in it?"

Elendr looks over at you and shakes his head.

You blink.

The voice continues, "We would wish to destroy our own home?"

You say, "I..didn't understand why you would, no.."

You clasp a hand over your mouth.

Elendr smiles warmly at Ilvane.

A soft blue light flickers momentarily near the ceiling.

You gaze heavenward.

Elendr tilts his head up.

Elendr smiles at you.

You say, "I don't know what to think anymore.."

You sit down.

You say, "My head is spinning.."

Elendr rubs you gently.

Elendr says, "It's hard to know what to think, when nothing is as it seems. But you have
to try to look past that and think about what might be best for your town."

You ask, "Why did Thulevier hurt me so much then?"

Elendr says, "Like it or not, there are only two sides. And one of them is trying to help us,
even if their means are rather cruel at times."

You say, "Both he and Elymir..seemed to enjoy tossing me around, quite painfully."

You nod to Elendr.

The voice echoes through the chamber, "There is much work to be done, and time grows
shorter each day. Only with the help of the people of this town can we hope to be rid of
the Betrayer. Only if we can be rid of the Betrayer will the world be safe."

(Elendr nods sagely, as if to himself.)

You close your eyes for a moment.

(Elendr nods to himself with finality.)

You smile at Elendr.

You ask, "You aren't in pain?"

Elendr blinks.

Softly the words surround you, "We have naught but death to work with, and some of us
use it one way and some of us another. Men who have lost their beloved at the hands of
Thurfel, along with their own lives, do in desperation things they might not have done
otherwise.

Elendr smiles softly.

Elendr says, "No Ilvane, I am not. In fact, she brings me much comfort and hope."

You nod.

You say, "I can't imagine what I would do..if someone hurt someone I loved.."

You say, "I think I would be angry too."

The voice says, "Pray ye never have to know that."

Elendr nods to you.

You nod.

You say, "All I want is for my town to be safe, and my friends."

Elendr says, "Helping us... is the best way to go about that goal. But I do not expect you
to do it. I understand why you are unsure."

A voice says, It depends on who they are, I believe, Kitlee."

Kitlee says, "I see."

Lady Kitlee just went west.

You gaze in wonder at your surroundings.

Elendr says, "Never thought along those lines m'lady."

You feel something wet on your cheek and jump back!

Elendr ponders.

You flail your arms about.

You say, "Sometimes..I don't know what to think."

The voice says, "Your friend need not be afraid to show his face, m'lady."

Elendr smiles softly.

Lady Kitlee just arrived.

You hear someone grumbling.

Kitlee asks, "Who is in charge of this town?"

You say, "No one really."

You grin.

Elendr says, "Last time I checked, Mayor Cavemann."

Elendr chuckles.

Kitlee asks, "Where is he?"

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "Bah.. afraid, I jus snuck in fer a kiss"

You exclaim, "He's sleeping, as usual!"

Elendr says, "I think he's on vacation in the Elven Nations."

Kitlee thrusts her chest out, angrily folding her arms over it.

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "An.. Caveman offically stepped down, I thinks"

Kitlee asks, "Are you it now?"

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "Cavemann even"

Kitlee searches around for a moment.

Elendr frowns.

A voice responds, "Who is in charge, indeed. A good question!"

Elendr rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Kitlee mumbles something that you don't quite catch.

Elendr frowns.

Elendr folds his arms over his chest.

You exclaim, "Gavrail, don't even think about saying you!"

Elendr says, "I believe she was referring to something a little different."

Elendr frowns at you.

Kitlee says, "Once upon a time.."

You hear the voice of Arimantis ask, "What exactly ya be needin someone ta do
M'Lady?"

You ask, "How was I supposed to know that?"

You grin at Elendr.

Elendr chuckles.

Soft laughter comes from somewhere near Elendr.

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "That might narrow down who ya need"

Kitlee says, "If you hunted and hung out in this town.."

Elendr loses some awareness.

Kitlee rubs a crystal amulet.

Kitlee gets an odd look on her face.

Kitlee says, "Well, take Dealvin for example."

(Elendr leans unconsciously toward the sound of the laughter by his side.)

Kitlee says, "Decayed."

Kitlee says, "No one would fog to him or run him lifekeep."

Kitlee says, "Delicassa did the same thing not 20 minutes earlier."

Kitlee says, "Requests made on the amulet."

You say, "Looks as if someone needs to keep track of the dead."

You nod to Kitlee.

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "Not all listen to the thoughts of others"

Elendr furrows his brow.

Kitlee asks, "So it's just a mish mash of folks coming and going now?"

A voice says, "Not all think of others."

Elendr sighs softly.

Kitlee says, "Well, that's obvious. The town should try to entice those that do to live
here."

You say, "Perhaps it's because no one was able to get there."

Kitlee asks, "They all have gone to Elfland?"

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "If more would carry lifekeep.. some things could be
avoided.."

Kitlee says, "I don't know. They said they were going and didn't."

Kitlee nods to you.

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "It has been quiet a hectic night.. perhaps people
were occupied"

Elendr nods.

You say, "Dealvin must have died some time ago..I did not sense his death in the past
hour or so."

A soft blue light flickers again near the ceiling.

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "Even clerics need ta stop fer a drink now an then"

Kitlee says, "So it seems this is becoming a ghost town. People are just on their own."

Elendr gazes heavenward.

Elendr furrows his brow.

Elendr asks, "M'lady? Are you alright?"

Kitlee says, "That's fine."

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "Bah.. lights"

Kitlee gazes heavenward.

You smile.

You ask, "Gavrail, are you feeling alright?"

You gaze heavenward.

The voice responds, "No better and no worse than I was an hour ago."

Kitlee says, "I just hope whoever IS in charge is okay with this new reputation the town
has."

(Elendr looks quizzical as he glances from the ceiling to the corner and back again.)

Elendr winces.

You say, "Funny, this is the first I've heard of the reputation."

You wink at Kitlee.

You hear the voice of Neco say, "Are you done complaining yet? "

Elendr asks, "M'lady, would you like me to begin... searching?"

Kitlee says, "I know, I know. If I don't like it, leave."

Kitlee curtsies.

Lady Kitlee just went out.

You chortle.

You lean forward and rest your chin in your hand, a thoughtful expression on your face.

You hear the voice of Arimantis say, "Bah.. clerics get no rest"

You ask, "Searching for what?"

(Elendr glances after Kitlee, a sad grimace plaguing his features.)

You hear the voice of Neco say, "You lot could wake the dead by the way"

You hear the sound of someone mumbling underneath their breath.

You ponder the meaning of Elendr's existence.

Elendr says, "Nothing you need to worry about. Just my own small quest."

Elendr smiles at you.

Arimantis just arrived.

Arimantis stares off into space.

You smile at Arimantis.

Arimantis just kissed you.

Arimantis says, "There.."

Elendr fidgets.

Arimantis says, "Now what all this talk of searchin.. I jus snuck in ta give my fiance a
kiss.. an gots caught"

(Elendr nods quietly.)

You ask, "Is Vonka doing alright now?"

Elendr asks, "Can I ask by whom m'lady?"

You frown at Arimantis.

Arimantis whispers, "well.. that avator of luukos showed to achillea an said she done
good..."

Arimantis sighs.

Arimantis says, "She is.. scared"

You say, "I can't blame her.."

Arimantis paces back and forth.

Elendr says, "It's there. He wouldn't grieve for his wife if it wasn't."

Arimantis says, "Thurfel said he was lyin bout his wife.. that well.. he never even came
close to a woman, never mind a wife"

You nod.

Arimantis says, "Not that he is tellin the truth either.."

You say, "I know."

You giggle.

>Neco stands up.

(Neco stamps out the kinks in his knees)

Arimantis paces back and forth.

Neco stares off into space.

Arimantis says, "Bah.. I hates bein lied to, an not knowin which direction the lies be comin
from"

Arimantis grumbles.

You nod.

The voice says tiredly, "Thulevier had a heart, m'lady. And a wife - whom he loved as
dearly as any of you care for your beloved. I don't believe Vonka has to fear Thulevier."

(Elendr nods with finality.)

Arimantis says, "Thurfel saids he never even been with a woman, never mind have a
wife.."

Arimantis grumbles.

(Elendr looks incredulously at Arimantis.)

Neco says, "Heresay is a dangerous weapon"

You say, "I think he was lying."

Neco shrugs.

Arimantis says, "He told that to me himself.. though don know who be tellin me the truth
anymore"

Elendr says, "Thurfel killed her. He's just rubbing salt in the wounds."

Elendr scowls.

Arimantis grumbles.

The voice rejoins, "Thurfel has lied many times. And will lie again to suit his needs."

Neco bows to Elendr.

Neco shuffles his feet.

Elendr nods to Neco.

Neco just went out.

You sit down.

You remove a red rose from in your black silk cloak.

Elendr says, "If you believe Thurfel, and you help him recover the vessels and he takes
the power into himself, which he may already have begun to do... then you have much
more to worry about than the liches, regardless of who's lying to whom."

Arimantis says, "If Thulevier's story be true, I certainly can understand his rage.."

nod to Arimantis.

You say, "I can too."

Elendr says, "That much power under one person's fingertips is too much... far to much."

Arimantis says, "On the other hand.. even if one lich has his reasons, an has no plans ta
harm the town.. that don mean he speaks fer all of em"

You nod.

You say, "She did say she has no plans to hurt the town.."

Arimantis asks, "There still be several of the lichs I never even seen.. how I know they
aren't a threat?"

Elendr says, "Perhaps the rest of the council has loyalty... and does not particularly like
having been betrayed."

Arimantis says, "I gots no doubt they don like bein betrayed.. it is thier plans should
they retrieve thier orbs, that I worry bout"

You fidget.

Elendr frowns.

Arimantis says, "Assumin I believe Gavrail an Thulevier.. what bout the others"

You put a red rose in your black silk cloak.

Arimantis says, "Elymir certainly don seem non to friendly"

Elendr says, "They work together, don't they? They all want the same thing."

You say, "I'm not sure what to think of Thulevier..one day he is angry and vengeful..the
next reasonable and heartbroken."

Arimantis asks, "They are eight separate entities.. why do you assume they have the
same goal?"

You say, "Elymir..he made me a statue..and froze my insides..I don't much trust him."

Arimantis says, "Well.. nine with the one we haven't even seen yet"

You shake your head.

Arimantis nods to you.

Elendr says, "Yes, but you have to understand his motives. What you saw one day was
the result of him tempering himself for Vonka's sake. He knew you wouldn't believe him,
but he did it for her so that she might understand that he can be just as kindly."

Lord Arianiss just arrived.

Elendr nods to Arianiss.

You wave to Arianiss.

Arianiss nods to Elendr.

Arianiss waves to you.

The voice says, "When we came to this town, we came with the promise of freedom of
belief for all. This we still hold to be the best way of living. We are in accord on this."

Arianiss nods to Arimantis.

You say, "When you came here yes.."

You say, "But problem is..you fell away from that goal."

Elendr says, "It is my lady Arianiss, don't worry."

Arimantis asks, "Hmm.. so.. history be wrong bout the council wantin ta take over fer
Luukos?"

Arianiss says, "Ahh, Gavrielllaailla..bleh."

Arianiss nods to Arimantis.

You say, "You tried to take the town for Luukos, didn't you?.."

(Elendr sits back and folds his arms, strangely silent as he stares off towards the ceiling.)

Arimantis sighs.

Arimantis asks, "Who is tellin stories.. an who be tellin truths?"

Arimantis grumbles.

Elendr asks, "And who told her?"

You say, "I'm sure Achillea did so."

Arimantis says, "The acolyte has visited Achillea several times"

You say, "She was most likely proud."

Elendr frowns.

Junis just arrived.

Junis just went out.

Arianiss asks, "So what are we debating?"

You lean back.

Arianiss rocks back on his heels.

With a tired sigh, the voice responds, "Things are not always what they seem." The
palest glimmer of blue light flickers about Elendr and Ilvane. A faint scent of perfume
lingers in the air, but the chamber is strangely silent.

Arianiss says, "I'll agree to that."

Arimantis paces back and forth.

Arianiss asks, "Thurfel mention anything more about his sage?"

Arimantis says, "Bah.. I hates bein lied to, specially when I don know who be doin the
lyin"

Jestin slings a blue vultite falcon-crested shield off from over his shoulder.

You smile at Elendr.

Arianiss says, "Well, the game isn't over.. plenty more to be played out."

Arimantis says, "Iscikella tryin ta reach Vonka in thoughts.. which most likely means
Thulevier taken her somewheres like before"

You nod to Arimantis.

Arimantis paces back and forth.

Elendr frowns.

Elendr stands up.

Arianiss says, "Some good, some bad.. but plenty more."

Elendr nods to Arianiss.

Elendr frowns.

(Elendr moves into a corner, begins looking around somewhat disbelievingly, then stares
up at the ceiling with interest.)

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