Don't Pay the Ferryman

Log Info

• Title: Don't Pay the Ferryman
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Merek, Cryosanthia, Ezil
• Place: A15: Alexandrian Catacombs
• Time: Thursday, February 20, 2020, 11:31 PM
• Summary: Merek is summoned to the Temple of Vardama, where the recently deceased are kept before they are interred in the catacombs. Cryosanthia accompanies him, and his old friend, Ashlee Twilight, seems to have anticipated his presence and joins him also. Ezil has been summmoned, and arrives late. It is explained that the Noble's relatives have refused to cover the ressurection costs, and the only option to bring him back is if Merek finances it. Merek, has other plans, and provides the gem and performs that divine miracle himself, raising Taylaren from the dead. As he does, Taylaren's younger brother and sister arrive. Nigel and Carrington call for a halt to the proceedings, stating that Taylaren has signed a will saying he did not wish to be revived, something the recently raised Taylaren disputes heavily. It is clear that these noble siblings are all darkly motivated, and lying, and they are swiftly removed while the others respectfully depart.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A15: Alexandrian Catacombs *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Three somber halls for a somber deity. Each entrance is guarded by silent Chord in pale gray robes and hoods, each of whom bear the symbolic khopesh at their belts. The first of the halls, with its great ironbound doors, is the hall of the Harpist, Her sad and sorrowful face looking down upon all entrants, arms open wide as a mother who greets a grieving child. There the beloved dead reside.

The second hall is overseen by the judge in all Her stern glory. Neither fierce nor gentle, she holds a scale in one hand and a ledger in the other, so that she might judge those whose names are unknown, the faithless, and the repentant. Here the uncertain dead reside.

The last aspect, the warrior, wields a khopesh in each of Her hands, eyes ablaze with fury as one hand rises as if to strike down a foe. It is there that the criminals, the vile, the evil, are interred. The door to this hall is bound in adamant and heavily locked with all manner of prayer, sigil, and invocation engraved in its scrollwork. Lancers guard its entrance, with Absolutions beside.

The antechamber leading to each hall is, itself, little more than a cave gilded with gold statuary of Vardama and carvings, telling of Vardama's kindness, wisdom, and fury all. Braziers at every corner provide light and fill the air with a heavy somber incense. From somewhere unseen, an unending funeral dirge is "piped in," accompanied by hooded Chords (monks) who constantly polish and clean whilst chanting their dutiful hymns to Vardama and Her tender mercies. The center of the room is dominated by a statue of Basalt with Vardama in each of Her three aspects back to back to back gazing over the room.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

It is a quiet and cold section of the temple where bodies are stored. A room preceeding the Catacombs, where the cooler temperatures help prevent decay and putrifcation. There are spells dedicated towards this as well, but nature can assist where she can. The desceased are held, for identification by loved ones, for rites and services, and for some a return to life. The ability to magically restore the departed is common, but expensive, and while it is frequently used by adventurers it is not always availed by the 'regular folk'. A long life well lived, is often the main reason. For others, a religious prediliction that might come from a desire to reunite with lost loved ones, a belief that one life is enough and mistakes are mistakes, or a wish to avoid more pain and receive one's award.

Of course, what some profess before they die does not align with their outlook, after-life. Often, an attempt on the spell is the only way to ascertain their true wishes. If a departed soul doesn't want to come back, it won't.

A holy attendant leads the way into the morgue. There are several slabs, with covered bodies surrounded by rings of flowers. Victims of the plague. The one she leads the party to is a victim of another sort, Merek's spell. She speaks in low tones, "This is he. We have contacted House Pindlewick. They have declined to pay for the ressurection. The Watch is interested in speaking with Taylaren-Scythe, but not enough to finance it themselves. We thought we might speak with you..." the attendant diplomatically chooses her words, "... since you were involved in his final circumstances."

Merek has taken the time to place on his ceremonial equipment, which is a nice white and black attire with the black half-plate which is adjusted upon it. The cape which he wears shifts along with him while he comes upon the place the man is at, nodding a bit to that attendant.

Following along quietly behind Merek is Cryosanthia, looking both out of place and appropriate. Her white scales, white armour and generally white acoutrements are a stark contrast to the somber dark grey of the Vardama temple. However, she also resembles a ghost. A very solid and present ghost that is attempting to walk as silently as she can.

Merek nods a bit to that attendant, "What did you need my thoughts on?" he asks, lifting a brow in thought a bit to him, while he takes a moment to pull that material about him while he thinks.

Lurking. Managing to be even more ghostlike than the white sith, is an ashen Arvec Nar. She arrives from the catacombs, gliding up the stairs. Her natural skin tones, ash grey, with the dark 'flame' on her nose and around her eyes, as well as her white 'sugar-skull' makeup and piercings make her seem like she's risen from a grave. Her long hair is straight and resembles a hood. The chill from the crypt seems to travel with her as she arrives at Merek's side and places her hand on his shoulder. "Hello Mer-Mer."

The attendant clasps her hands together, her voice is kept respectfully low. First, as small dip of her head towards the Arvec. "Greetings, Blessed one."

She addresses Merek. "It is a lot to ask. The fees for ressurection are great. As you know, an expensive and large diamond is necessary. There are temple expenses. Is this an expense you would consider taking on?"

As she voices the question, a mourner that was at another table leaves, perhaps unwilling to overhear a discussion of something they can't afford at all.

Merek takes a moment to adjust his attire, while the half-plate then shifts about. He pulls on a longcoat while he then adjusts the material. He then takes a moment to lift up what looks like a white and black diamond, "Well, yes. I have that," he says, then he nods a bit. He does look to the woman on her way from the place, and also seems to think about it. He does look to the noble. "You're offering to do it?" he asks of the woman. The Theurge nods a bit. He then looks to Cryosanthia and to Twilight. "I imagine you would take an extra charge on top of the diamond." A nod with a smile to that Mer Mer.

The Vardamite Attendant is startled when Merek produces the black and white diamond. Most people don't carry those around. She gathers her composure and says, "There is an additional amount needed, for the Temple and the caster, and so Vardama's gifts are not taken for granted. It would come to another 2000 gold. This is exceedingly generous of you."

Cryosanthia blinks, and stares.

The ashen arvec doesn't react at all, standing deathly still beside Merek, her hand still resting on his shoulder.

Merek nods a bit to the woman, "I will think on it," he says, looking to Cryosanthia as well as to Twilight, "What do you guys think?" he asks, lifting a brow in thought while he thinks about it.

"Merek, that's... it was an accident. That's a lot. I can help a little bit, but I don't have near that much." Cryosanthia says, the sums a crazy amount to her.

The ashen arvec is restrained in her words. "I could ask him." She offers.

Merek nods a bit between the two, while he thinks about it. Then he looks to the man, then to the assistant. "Well, alright. I will think about it." He does not look like he's actually thinking about it, he instead looks like he's thinking about the noble.

Ezil has found his way to the catacombs, late because of his business, but the Paladin does not dare interrupt. He comes to wait a distance from them as they discuss business, waiting for a more opportune time to speak,

The Holy Attendant waits, leaving Merek alone with his thoughts and contemplation.

The Noble, lies there, unmoving.

Cryosanthia stands silently, rotating the ring on her hand, keeping her tail tucked close.

The ashen Arvec walks silently forward, resting her hand on the table beside the Noble, looking down at him.

GAME: Merek casts Raise Dead. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Merek casts Restoration. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18

"Well, I think I will save a little bit of money," Merek mentions, then he steps forward a bit. Then he takes a moment to place diamond powder on the noble, with a nod, beginning to take the diamond while he calls upon the charge within it. The man makes a few gestures while mantra sigils begin to spin around, with his ankh lifted up which he keeps with him. He speaks Celestial, "I call you from the wait, back to the Here and Now. I ask of the spirits to guide you." Then there is a light as the Ethereal Plane gives way, a shimmer within the air while the spirit is called back into the noble! The spell settles, the Noble's spirit returns to his body. He sits up with a gasp, throwing off the sheet that covers him. He shivers, looking around, at the arvec nearest him, at the Vardamite attendant, at Merek. He blinks, his mouth opens.

There's a clattering in the hallway, loud running footsteps. Disrespectful footsteps, and a voice shouting, "Wait! Wait! No Ressurection! Stop. It's not his wishes!"

Two people fly around the corner and loudly come to a halt. There is a family resemblence, both resembling birds in a bad way, thin skin on their skulls, large noses, and greedy eyes.

GAME: Merek rolls sense motive: (19)+4: 23

Ezil can not help but laugh to himself, a hand rising to hide his lips with a gesture of his fingers. It's the antics of his family, the auras he sees giving away their intent, but it is too late, and the act is already done. This is the source of his mirth, but still he does his best to remain quiet, though a snicker leaks through as they lie blatantly about his wishes.

Twilight has no reaction as Merek casts his spell and reunites spirit with the body. She faces the new arrivals with silent disdain, her mouth never smiling. She raises a hand, and pokes Taylaren once with a finger, "He said he wanted to come back."

Cryosanthia's eyes go wide, and she stares. "Wow. Um...."

Merek nods a bit, while he places the holy symbol back onto the necklace which he wears, then he looks to the newcomers. He doesn't need any magic, he nods a bit, "You came to make sure he was not brought back so you might collect his wealth," he says with that smoky voice. The insight of the man is amazing. He then scratches at his stubble, "You do know the way that divine spells like this work right? You can do it only if they want to be back." He smiles a bit to Ezil, then a nod as well to Twilight to Cryosanthia.

GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/nobility: (15)+8: 23

It is wildly known among nobles, that House Pindlewick doesn't have a whole lot of money, at least in an available sense. They have a title, an estate, a zoo with some things, and servants but they've been selling off the furniture. They are possibly involved in crime, and since the patriarch died, Taylaren has been 'in charge'. His younger brother and sister were cut out of the inheritance, and he keeps them on allowances to control and humiliate them. The youngest brother is an out-of-control rakish lout, and the middle sister is status seeking and cunning, looking for someone to latch on to as well as trying to wheedle more funds out of her older brother. They are all thuroughly rotten and evil in their own ways.

The female of the pair waves a scroll at Merek. A very crisp, fresh seeming scroll with bold ink. "This is his will, we are executrix and executor! It clearly states that if he was killed by one of his pet monsters he bequeathed everything to us and he doesn't want to come back. That was his promise. For putting up with him."

"Carrington! That's a complete lie. I never signed any such thing." Taylaren finally protests.

"It is, the solicitor signed as a witness." The other, younger male noble says.

"Oh be quiet Nigel, he'll sign anything if you pay him enough. What did you promise?"

Merek, Ezil, Cryosanthia, Twilight, The Holy Attendent, the Sanctity of the morgue of Vardama. Everything is ignored by the three.

GAME: Merek casts Mage Hand. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15
GAME: Merek casts Spark. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15
GAME: Merek rolls diplomacy: (6)+24: 30

"He wasn't killed by a pet monster." Ezil says from behind them. "Don't listen to either of them. There isn't a decent egg in this lot, Merek." his words coming with a sigh as he can't keep quiet anymore.

"I am Ezil, All-Friend and Sentinal of Telmentar. I see the aura that radiates from you, and I feel the deceit in your voice." Okay, part of that is exaggeration, but it's clear they are lying, and he wishes to scare them into compliance. "Our business here is done. Let them squabble."

Merek lifts up a hand while he telekinetically brings the scroll to him, then he lights that up with a flame. With that, he nods a bit to Ezil, then he shifts a bit of his attention to the noble. "I don't know any experience you might have went through, I will say this. Think a bit about everything." He then nods to that attendant, "You be well." He will motion to Cryosanthia, Ezil, and Twilight if they wish to come with a little away.

Cryosanthia and Twilight move to follow Merek, and the nobles fall into bickering again. A temple guard arrives, and they are thrown out, to continue their arguing elsewhere. The attendant follows along behind. She tells Merek, "You are more generous than he deserved."

Ezil follows after Cryosanthia and Merek, shaking his head at the mess they leave behind. Yeah, not touching that. For now he will observe his silence and just be done with this ordeal.

"You did well, Mer-Mer." The ashen Arved states quietly. The chill from the morgue comes with her.

GAME: Merek rolls fortitude: (13)+11: 24

"Perhaps. Still, I think this was the path to follow, those like him need generosity above all else," Merek mentions, while he nods a bit to that attendant. With that, beltcape a bit shifted while he looks to Ezil, Cryosanthia, and Twilight, "Thank you."

The white sith-makar doesn't know what to make of it all, shaking her head. "That... was something. Well, good insight."

Ezil gives Merek a shake of his head with a sigh. "It is nothing to thank me over." his words light as he looks away. "I was late." he reminds, though as Cryo's words sink in he laughs to himself. "They do... and a swift kick in the ass. All of them."

"I agree." Twilight adds.

Merek nods a bit between the three, "I mean thank you for being with me there," he says. He then offers a light hug for each of them, while he seems to think about it. "I think we need to find a nice drink." He then makes a way to the pub with the party.

They leave. Welcome silence and stillness returns for those at rest.