Endor Posts 47 - 70

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B> </B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Endor Haskil"><U>Endor Haskil</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Endor Posts 25 46"><U>Endor Posts 25 - 46</U></A>   |   <B>Endor Posts 47 - 70</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Endor Posts 47 - 70</I></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#47</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> (The Guardians take several forms, but they are all stone statues or forms that come to life when Evil enters the grounds of the Temple.  Usually the interior of the temple is guarded by human statues. Figures of myth and legend from ages past that serve as objects of art and education in their inert form, yet become powerful golems to battle the Church's enemies when needed.  Graveyards are a little different.  The most common form is a Guardian Dog or Hound carved of white stone.  When they are inert they don't even look like dogs, merely shepeless lumps of white stone, maybe marble or dolomite.  It is said that unlike the statues inside, the Guardian Hounds can and do get up and move around on their own and they do not always return to the same place as they started.  It is a fact that the stones often seem to be in different places from day to day and they are generally too big to be carried about easily. Some people believe that the Hounds become restless and move about more when evil is afoot and trouble is brewing.  If the Hounds haven't moved in some time then people believe that all is well. Some sceptics say that most if not all these rocks are in fact just rocks and the priests come out late at night and lug them around the graveyard in order to perpetuate the myth and calm peoples nerves or generate anxiety as circumstances warrant.)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Other then birds and squirrels you have seen nothing living in the village at all, though you haven't explored the whole thing yet.  You can see that the cemetary is off to your right.</div> <bR> <div> Pelles says, "How shall we do this, Reverence?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#47</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> "First we will do a quick walk through of the cemetary to make sure that there is no sign of the graves having already been disturbed.  We will then commence the ceremony.  Pelles, you will assist me. Aeron, you keep watch and make sure we are not disturbed."  Endor will dismount and lead the way through the gates, looking for somewhere to tether the horses that will be secure but out of the way. (is it okay for the horses to enter the church grounds?)</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#48</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> (Yes, it is okay for the horses to enter. Not into the building tho.)</div> <bR> <div> The grass of the cemetary is heavily overgrown, completely concealing the gravesites.  It will require  hours of searching to determine the status of the graves.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#48</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> (Scratch that idea then)</div> <bR> <div> Endor shakes his head as he surveys the state of the cemetary. "This is a problem.  We could spend all day feeling our way through the weeds." He sighs, "All right then, lets just get to it."  He starts taking out the required equipment and going through the set up procedures, giving Pelkles what ever he needs in the way of equipment and coaching him as needed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#49</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Pelles seems well briefed and will clearly be an invaluable aide.</div> <div> While you are getting ready Aeron will prowl around looking for an observation point that will allow him to watch over you as you make your way around the grave yard.  He finally settles on the crook of a large maple that partially overhangs the cemetary. The posistion allows him to watch the temple, the gate into the courtyard and the entire cemetary as well as some of the area around the compound.</div> <bR> <div> At last you are satisfied that all is ready. You have donned your ceremonial trappings, lit the incense, opened your missal and are ready to begin with the scroll.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#49</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Endor will say a short prayer to Mitra for the strength, patience and guidance not to screw this up.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#49 a (Follow up)</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Is there anyway for me to tell if it works?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#49 a (Follow up)</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Yes. You can determine the level of Sanctity in the graveyard before and after the ceremony.  For a priest (or a Druid) the Sanctity level of an area (in regards to their religion) is determined by concentration, much like a Mage determines Mana Level.  You cannot feel a Druid's Sanctity, and he cannot determine Mitraen. You are only aware of the presence of his by the absence of yours.  However, you can determine the presence of areas sanctified to the Dark Lore... this is kind of an anti energy to you and you will find it uncomfortable or down right repulsive.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#49 b (Follow up)</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Okay then, I will 'feel' the Sanctity of the graveyard before I start the ceremony.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#50</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> You finish your prayer and concentrate on the Sanctity present.... It is low here. Almost at the same level as you would expect in any field  or meadow.</div> <div>  Finished with that you begin the ceremony and the procession around the graveyard.  Pelles walks behind you and to your right, swinging the incense and intoning his parts with remarkable precision.  Aeron is silent and watchful all through the ceremony.</div> <bR> <div> At one point a misstep on some hidden cobbles, causes you to stumble slightly, but you don't think it irreperably harmed the service, though it is impossiblt to tell at this point.  The ceremony is long, tedious and draining, both in its energy that is being drawn from you and in the concentration it requires to not fumble words or loose your place.  You are sweating profusely in your multiple layers of armor, robes and vestments and the fatigue drain is enormous.  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#50</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Concentrate, draw on my Will Power and pray for strength</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#51</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Soon everything seems almost a blur and you dimly hear the words of the incantations and prayers echoing like a distant drumbeat in your ears. You feel almost disembodied, as though you were somewhere else listening to someone else perform the ceremony..... Then suddenly there is silence... You come back to the real world and realise that you have reached the end and have, (miracuously!) returned to where you started.</div> <div> With an effort of will you focus on the service and complete the rituals needed to bring it to a close.  </div> <bR> <div> As you utter the last syllabels you feel the strength drain out of you and you start to slump. Almost instantly Pelles is there to catch you and guide you to a white boulder nearby to sit down.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#51</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Endor murmurs his thanks and rests for a moment before concentrating on the Sanctity.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#52</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> As soon as you sit down you feel a little better, as though energy had flowed in from some other source. Your head clears enough for you to focus... The Sanctity level is up! It is at the strength that you have felt in other graveyards! You accomplished your mission, at least in part....</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#52</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Endor sighs with relief and says in a voice loud enough for Pelles to hear... "Thank Mitra! All is well!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#53</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> You hear Pelles sigh with relief and he gives the nod to Aeron who scrambles down from the tree and brings you a skin of fresh water and some bread and cheese to eat.  (No alcohol or meat in the graveyard.)</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#53</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Endor takes them with gratitude.  After he has eaten and had a drink, he stands up and looks at the boulder he is sitting on. Is this a Guardian Hound?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#54</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> It could be. It certainly fits the description, though it is not unknown for the Temples to place fake ones in the graveyards to compensate for an absence or low numbers.  But this one does seem different, it feels as though it has been Sanctified.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#54</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> It could be. It certainly fits the description, though it is not unknown for the Temples to place fake ones in the graveyards to compensate for an absence or low numbers.  But this one does seem different, it feels as though it has been Sanctified.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#54</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Does the Sanctity seem strong? Is there anything I can do to boost it?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#55</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> There is really nothing you can do for it, you have already boosted the Sanctity in the entire yard, that is all you are capable of.</div> <bR> <div> Aeron says, "What now? Do we go inside?" He gestures at the temple.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#55</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> "Yes, I think it is time." (assuming that Endor is feeling recovered, otherwise he will wait a few more minutes.) What time is it?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#56</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> It is early afternoon, maybe 1:30 or 2. You still have several hours of daylight left. Your feeling better now that you have eaten. Pelles and Aeron will also have some food, like you they eat only fruit and cheese. Pelles says, "Well, I'm ready." Aeron nods in agreement.</div> <bR> <div> The three of you make your way to the front of the temple and carefully climb the vine covered stairs up. The front doors are shattered pieces of rotting wood, still hanging on their rusting hinges.  They look as though they were smashed open with a ram and some axe work.  Beyond is the Antechamber where the Faithful would assemble for the procession in.... the benches that line the walls for the benefit of the sick and infirm have rotted and collapsed,,, the carvings and gildings on the walls and arches have been hacked and defaced.... the inner doors are completely off their hinges and lay broken on the floor of the Inner Chamber, where the Faithfull would gather to worship..... the wooden benches for seating are tumbled and broken.... the floor has a layer of dead leaves that have blown in the open doors or fallen through the shattered windows....  Pigeons have made their homes in the high rafters and their droppings are everywhere....Vegetation, mostly creeper vines have taken root in the layers of decaying leaves and the vines climb the walls seeking the windows and are entwined throughout the broken furniture and even climb the Altar at the far end of the chamber.</div> <div> The great Golden Sunburst that hangs above the Altar is broken, large chunks are missing... it looks blackened with soot and filth...</div> <bR> <div> Pelles and Aeron both look at you for instructions.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#56</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Endor will say a prayer as he stands before the defiled altar.</div> <div> Is there any other doors out of this room?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#57</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Yes, there are two doors, both broken, at the far end flanking the Altar area.  You know that the one to the right will lead to the dressing rooms and offices. Where the priest's would keep their robes and paraphenalia between services and where they would meet most visitors.</div> <div> The door to the left will lead deeper into the building to libraries, meditation rooms, other offices, store rooms etc...</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#57</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> We will look around here first. Endor tells Pelles to stand guard while Aeron looks around the main area and Endor examines the Altar and surrounds.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#58</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Pelles keeps an eye, alternately, on each doorway, while Aeron carefully pokes through the rubbish on the floor.</div> <div> The Alter table is of stone, the back side, away from the Faithful, has several niches and shelves carved into it to hold the vessels, biiks etc that are used in the services. They are all empty.</div> <div> You notice that there are rotting remains of ropes tied around the altar block with four extra lengths located one at each corner and trailing away to the floor.  Looking at the top of the Altar you can see that the marble has been stained a rusty brown and you realise, with revulsion, that these are bloodstains... Sacrifice, probably more than one and undoubtably human, has been performed on the Altar.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#58</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> Endor will close his eyes and whisper a prayer for those who died here.  After a suitable pause he will look around some more.  Is there any common practice in </div> <div> the temples in regards to putting hiding places? </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> GM POST#59</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <div> <what you are describing wouldn't remain secure for very long, not if it was the practice in most if not all temples></div> <bR> <div> Aeron holds up a broken sword... "Khun type." He announces. Hardly a surprise.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> PBEM Series 1 </div> <div> PC POST#59</div> <div> Endor Haskill </div> <bR> <bR> <div> (I suppose so)</div> <bR> <div> Endor will try shifting the altar, pushing it one way, then another... Failing that he will try to look behind the Sunburst.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>