Questions, Answers and musings....

[Lilira]

I wandered northward, absently noticing I was shadowed once again by Teflor, with much on my mind. I had just concluded my meeting with the Priest of Auzrom'tvorl.

****No you silly people. I wasn’t signing up to join him. As a bard I like to learn facts. Unlike Master Gurns, I am in the unique position of being expendable, so I could chance a private meeting. The last two times I had a chance to meet the man, we were rudely interrupted. Many of you have heard tales of the second one, and for personal reasons, I wish to keep the details of the first one to myself. Lets just say,, it wasn’t fun.****

I had arranged for a message to be delivered to him, asking him to meet with me and promising I would be alone. I had intended to leave my gear at the inn, but part of the reply was a warning to come dressed for battle. This made me a little apprehensive, as did the location, a place I had never been to. I had to ask around, and finally was able to get directions.

After the interesting events of Sonon’s Oath Ceremony, an interesting tale, but alas not mine to tell, I headed to Baulder’s Gate to bide my time until the morning of the day I was to meet with the priest. A little shaken by the aforementioned event, I nursed an ale, willing myself to calm. It’s not everyday you meet a mindflayer. But, I’m off the subject of my story once more.

I cloaked myself in invisibility to avoid the undead and trolls between Baulder’s Gate and my destination. Singing a cheerful tune to lift my spirits, I traveled as quickly as I could through the danger filled hills. A narrow dirt road stretched to the west from the Great Plains and I turned my feet to tread cautiously upon it. To keep from announcing my presence to everyone, I stopped my song and approached in silence. I paused a moment to gather my magical defenses as I was still unsure of my reception. With a last muttered chant, I cast a spell to make the invisible visible to my eyes. Cautiously I traveled farther in, inwardly cursing myself for not practicing my skills at hiding more frequently. I rounded a bend in the road and spotted the priest.

Mentally crossing my fingers for luck, I dropped my cloak of invisibility, took a deep breath, and walked towards him openly. He stood in the road, looking much as I remembered him from the last time I saw him. Almost frolicking around him was a mechanical creature, seemingly akin to the thanatar I had fallen to previously. I glanced at it a little concerned, but it showed no signs of aggression, so I let its presence pass.

When the priest looked up at me, smiling, I dropped a low curtsy, feeling foolish in my armor, but deciding the gesture was appropriate. I just don’t have the flare for bowing.

“I apologize, I did intend to come unarmored but was told perhaps that was a bad idea,” I began. In my letter I had offered to appear before him without arms or armor, but as previously mentioned was told to dress for the occasion.

“It is good to see you,” the priest told me nodding, “And I did say that in my note to the boy, Sonon.”

You nod. Not being as good at this whole questions thing, I decided to dispense with some pleasantries first.

“It is good to see you uninjured sir,” I began, slapping myself mentally. Teflor had barely put a mark on the man before his words had whisked him to safety.

“I have recovered from those wounds, yes,” he replied with a smile. For a man that worked for a power working towards taking over the world, he was a cheerful fellow. He continued. “I had hoped to meet with you, my friend, that we might discuss your interests.”

I had something to get off my chest. Perhaps that big, fat target that had been painted there by someone else, so I stammered out, “I had no knowledge of their intent, I swear it.”

He nodded and gave me a reassuring pat. I stood quietly while he did so, smiling hesitantly. I still don’t understand the fascination people have with touching these days. Its nice enough with someone you trust, but complete strangers? Ah well.

Commenting on my quietness I presume, he said, “You've always sat on the edge, even in the midst of a gathering.” Hmm, the best way to listen and try to disappear is to sit quietly on the edge, well that and the only time I’m prepared for the regard of many is if I’m performing.

I shrugged lightly and responded with, “Tis my way.” The priest’s mechanical beastie wandered back and forth. Pondering for a moment I realized it looked more like it was patrolling. I hoped no one was foolish enough to follow me closely,, it could end painfully. The priest had started talking again, and I dragged my attention back to him.

“It is important that you know your mind, your place,” he was saying, “Might I guide you?”

“I have little of such in my life,” I responded truthfully. I have no religious preference. I felt my father probably had enough for both of us wherever he was.

A strange sound echoed though the trees. I glanced around, but the priest seemed at ease so I relaxed again.

“Dear child, lovely lady... the mind is the last reserve,” he continued. I blushed. Why is it people keep saying that? I’m not lovely at all, but this tale is about a meeting, not me.

“I remember your words at our first meeting,” I began, stifling a shudder as I remember how that ended in a story that wouldn’t ever be told by me. “I have had no path for most of my life.”

The priest of Auzorm'tvorl looked at me and asked, ”What of my words has remained with you so long, dear lady?”

“The nature of the balance,” I began. I faltered for a moment, attempting to choose my words carefully.

“Do go on...” he encouraged.

“I have tried to maintain such my whole life.” Well it was as good a place as any to start. My gaze turned to one of concern when he coughed carefully into a handkerchief. Here we were standing in a downpour talking about beliefs, nice to see how observant I am.

Not having a tent handy, and definitely not seeing any shelter to duck under, I wracked my brain to think of a way to make him comfortable.

“May I offer you some Tea to soothe that sir,” I asked.

“That would be lovely, my dear,” he replied smiling. I pulled a cup of Theeri tea out of my dimensional vault. With my wardrobe I had needed a larger bag. Somehow the tea was always warm, so I handed it to him. He thanked me and took a sip. I smiled slightly and shrugged always happy to help, before continuing our discussion.

“Your words, speaking of the imprisoning of Auzrom'tvorl in fact creating an imbalance sounds logical,” I began. My word play this day was suffering horribly. I’m glad I’m not a public speaker. Allowing a look of slight confusion to filter over my face I added, “If I have that correct.”

Apparently I did, for the priest gave me a huge smile and nodded. Either that or I had confused him as much as I had confused myself and he didn’t want to let on.

“Each time I have met with you, we have been,, interrupted,” I continued, then paused as the metallic creature came back in and stood next to the priest, once again distracting my attention.

Absently, my attention still captured by the creature, I heard the priest say, “I am grateful to have shaped our theology enough for you to know that much, my dear friend.” Perhaps noticing my regard, he pet the creature lovingly and smiled at me. Taking that as encouragement I studied it carefully.

The creature had a low slung body supported by six insectoid legs that almost seem to twitch steadily. Its body was long, and coated with a silverish sheen that reflected the light in random patterns. Protruding from the head of the beast, were two antennae that curled about with an incredible range of flexibility. While no eyes were apparent, it nonetheless seemed aware of its surroundings.

“What an interesting creature,” I broached the subject. Alright, I was still nervous, but I had fallen to its little brother okay? An experience I didn’t wish to repeat. Mother always told me to face my fears, so I was.

“It has been said that the best defense is a good offense,” he replied patting the creature fondly. Not knowing what to say, I nodded and he continued, “I hope we may continue talking without disturbance, but I am ready should someone unpleasant drop by.”

Goodness. I really hoped people were listening when I told them to stay away. “I had the misfortune to meet a similar creature,” I stated, looking at it a little apprehensively.

“It will remain calm with me here,” he said trying to reassure me. He pet it lovingly once more before continuing, “'These are difficult times, my dear friend. There are sides to be chosen, battles to be fought, and yet it is all the way it's been said in the prophesies.”

“I have seen four of the Monoliths,” I grabbed hold of his words, trying to get the conversation back on track. I can’t walk a straight line, much less speak one, so I wander occasionally. I pity anyone trying to get direct answers from me as Master Gurns learned once.

“How wonderful,” the priest exclaimed, “I have only seen three for myself, and am on my way to visit with a fourth.”

“Oh? Which one would that be sir,” I asked. “Mayhap it is one I have yet to locate.”

“The one in the lands of ice and snow, high in the mountains. From there, I hope to travel through the ice marsh to see my fifth,” he said. I had been to the one in the mountains, but had not located the ice marshes to explore as of yet. I probably would not be able to travel there as I had no one to ask anymore. Enough of my sulks, back to the story. I nodded at him.

“I have seen the one high in the mountains near the home of the Uthgarts,” I told him.

“Have you any hints or cautions,” he asked.

“Watch for the ice bears,” I cautioned. I had seen them on numerous occasions and only with the aid of my invisibility spell was I able to sneak past them. They are huge beasts that can seriously harm with one strike from their massive paws.

“Do they respond to being fed,” the priest queried. I shook my head negatively. Not to my knowledge anyway. Well, it was time to test the waters.

“Would you like an escort sir,” I asked. I might have problems getting us around Waterdeep, but once there I could take him to the north rapidly with the power of my song. Not such a large task, but the offer would be nice. “I know the hazards reaching that one well.” Not to mention with my help we could probably outrun any pursuit but those with another bard, and at least one other person would know where he was. Tangled reasons I know, but I’m good at that.

“Quite probably, my dear friend. I'd thought to hire help in the city, but friends - true friends - would be more valuable,” he replied in response to my offer. “I've a friend to meet along the way, possibly two, and I must yet rest from my trials.”

“My songs would also speed the way allowing us to escape the dangers,” I continued, blushing, ”For I am no warrior to stand and do battle.” I’ve never made any show of trying to be a warrior. I’d hate to steal employment from those who need the jobs.

After all, bards who sing and run away,, live to sing another day… I’m sure there are other singers about who would agree with me.

The priest patted my arm gently, sensing my embarrassment. “There is no shame in not challenging every difficulty with a weapon, my dear girl.”

“I would be honored to be of service when you begin your travels,” I offered. He smiled widely at me.

Then he gave me a measuring look and said, “Lilira, dear lady, I must ask. Do you remain between those of my following and those who will seek to slay Auzorm'tvorl?”

“I have allied with noone sir,, I walk alone,” I answered respectfully, “I had joined with Teflor and Ayra in the understanding that I would get the chance to learn from you.”

He nodded, sipped at his tea, and said, “Then I have but one request.”

Here goes, I thought, waiting for the axe to fall. “Pray ask,” I said as a verbal nudge.

“Be an accurate witness, dear child. Let not your heart or your imagination interfere as you observe the events to come.”

I nodded. Whew, escaped that one. “I try to remain impartial in my retellings,” I told him. Of course the only background I had was the tales Master Gurns had written. If he wanted me to remain impartial, I was going to need more. I hadn’t the foggiest idea where to look, and it seems so far he wasn’t going to point me in the direction. Looking back I guess I must have still been rattled from earlier.

“The tales will need to be told, after all is done. The true story must be preserved,” he said. Hmm, it seemed an impossible task to ask. According to his earlier teachings, a purging of many lives was a sad side effect in a necessary battle for neutrality. Perhaps I heard it wrong, after all,, the interruptions. However that seems to be the one thing that really stuck. The monoliths showed the mass destruction of major cities, and even on the Elven Isle, the fires from the mainland could be seen.

I really must find someone who knew where the other three monoliths are.

To mask the circle my thoughts were taking, I nodded, and told him, “I will strive with all my skill.”

My words seemed to please him for he smiled at me again, before coughing into his handkerchief once more.

“Now then, have you any questions you wish to ask of me,” he asked, searching my face.
A priest of Auzorm'tvorl pets a silverish silversaan lovingly.
“None as of this moment sir. I wished to offer my services to you, and apologize for my inaction when last we met,” I replied truthfully. I honestly wanted this man to know I had no plans of attacking him. I had seen a few of the Tvorlite followers attack before, and I had no wish for him to decide this bard would look better with her head mounted on a wall somewhere.

The priest said chuckling, “If I recall, there were a number who did not know how to behave when my former pupils chose to attempt to claim my life.'

Ahh, the light dawned. A question I could ask that noone had bothered to tell me about. “The visions I have seen that are gifted by the monoliths disturb me.”

“The visions, yes,” he said, sighing loudly. “The prophesies are the element written by the Lady Selune, by her own touch.'

I nodded. Finally, an explanation of sorts.

“There are also nightmares, thrust upon the monoliths by the spirit called Noloth'e.”


I pondered for a moment, then asked, “So the visions themselves are from this Noloth'e?”
Anyone reading Gurns’s chronicles has heard of her. He describes her much differently and in a more flattering light to be sure.

“I cannot get close enough to ask her side of the story, but it is clearly her work,” he replied. “If I linger near the monolith, she rushes at me, and chases me away. I cannot even attempt to determine if I can aid her in her madness...' He sighed sadly.

“And the runes inscribed on the monoliths are the writings of the goddess,” I asked, seeing where I had gotten confused at last!

The priest nodded.

“That explains much,” I mumbled. Yeah,, I’m a little slow to catch on some times. I feel foolish enough as it is. “I have not seen her. I spent much time there after our last encounter.”

He continued his explanation, dismissing my comment. “I do not know if She touched the stone with her fingertips, as it were, or if She solely used moonlight and magic to craft the runes, but they are Divinely granted to us.'

I nodded and he went on.

“They speak of events that have happened, events which have yet to occur, and all lead toward the tempering of His host form.”

Host form! More I knew nothing about, more questions I could ask.

“I have heard some rumors of this host. Before I was cut off from my sources,” I said, sighing loudly. Yes it still hurt having to leave my guild, and enduring the cold stares when I poked my head out.

“Well then, perhaps I might be able to clarify,” he asked, smiling at me. He sat down in the snow, and I could hear his aged body protest. Feeling slightly guilty, I asked for a pause while I looked through my bag. My cloak was around somewhere I thought….

“This snow is not good for you,” I told him while I rummaged through my vault. My hand reached in to grab my Llewyr bag. The mind boggles at the collection of stuff a woman can gather in her travels. Flowers,, it was time to stop at the cemetery in Waterdeep once more, there’s my fly helm,, ick, how in the world did I get a spleen in my bag. No cloak.

While I dug through my things, he chuckled and replied, “Quite right, my dear. Quite right!” Using the creature for support, he pulled himself to his feet, petting it in a gesture of thanks afterwards.

I sighed, miffed that whomever I had loaned it to had never returned it. My boots had properties that kept me warm, but he was ill dressed for the weather. “I cannot find my cloak,” I grumbled. It was such a nice one too!

“I shall be okay, my dear friend. Thank you for your concern, it is most gracious in these difficult times,” he said smiling at me. I returned his smile, still muttering in my head about ungrateful cloak stealers. Ahh, back to the topic at hand.

“I have heard the host is to be created in layers,” I asked to get us back on track.

He nodded and explained. “The layers represent various elements of the Realms, that He might be more attuned to the needs of its citizens.” I nodded and kept silent as he continued. “At the heart of the Host, as is quite fitting, is a core of glass, dragon blood, and plant spores.”

“Plant spores,” I asked confused.

“No sense having the animal without also the vegetable, yes,” he replied. I closed my eyes for a second feeling like an idiot while he continued.

“To shield the heart, we next have stones from across the Realms. Strong durable brass sheaths the stone.”

I nodded and after a pause, I prompted, “And after the brass?”

“It is well known that brass will discolor and fade, over time, so pure, beautiful silver cloaks the brass with a delicate layer.” As he spoke, I closed my eyes in an attempt to envision his words. I felt his wind chilled hands take mine while I frowned in concentration.

“And after the silver,” I asked quietly trying to maintain the image.

“It is a marvel to behold, dear girl. How I wish I could show you,” he exclaimed, startling me for a moment. He went continued with his description while I put it back together in my mind. “After that is a sheath of fur, and leather of various types.”

“Finally, we come to the outermost coat. It is reminiscent of a vast array of mirrors, such that when you regard Him, you know yourself truly.” I opened my eyes, reeling inwardly from the image my own imagination and his words had conjured up. He completed his descriptions with, “It is the most difficult thing, for most people - to see themselves as they really are, without the masks and facades we wear with one another.”

“Or the mask one wears for themselves,” I said softly. I shook my head to clear the image as he coughed again. “Sir, I'm keeping you needlessly out in this weather.”

“My dear, I chose to be here, to speak with you,” he retorted. Then continued, “I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive Teflor and Ayra. From within, we cannot see the hand of Selune and Auzorm'tvorl placing people where they must be.”

“They betrayed me as they betrayed you,” I stated flatly, meaning every word.

“They have first betrayed themselves, dear child...'he countered, sounding almost wistful.

“They betrayed my trust, something rarely given,” I said bitterly, that little episode, still, stung.

The priest nodded and looked at me pityingly. I allowed the anger to drain away,, this was not the time or place.

“Trust is not something easily regained. I hope they learn quickly,” he said sorrowfully. I shrugged.

“According to a few who would see the destruction of Auzrom'tvorl, I have broken theirs,” I told him, hence the cold shoulders and icy glares I still got from people. I am fortunate indeed it hasn’t gone beyond that,,, yet.

“They only see a small part of the events around them. You understand, don't you, from your position of impartiality,” he asked. Impartiality,, riiiiight…

“I try. In these times it is harder and harder to remain impartial with people trying to force the choosing of sides,” I told him, my hand absently sneaking up to rub a non-existent scar.

I noticed him following my gesture with his gaze, a sorrowful look in his eyes. I let my hand drop before continuing. “I have already suffered the attacks of one who would force the issue.”

“There are fanatics on all sides, aren't there,” he said, chuckling.

I gave a slight shrug and told him, “Thankfully with the healing touch of song, I can heal wounds to my body.” I smiled softly.

A halfling bard wandered through and asked the priest a question. He seemed impressed with the mechanical creature, and stood talking to it for a moment.

The priest whispered something to the Halfling, who took himself off farther down the road.

A smile lit up the face of the priest and I chuckled inwardly.

“Halfings,,” I muttered with a grin, “Amusing people.”

“Definitely,” the priest agreed. “They have a zest for life which many would do well to observe. They suit His teachings adequately.” Not sure what to think of that, I giggled unsure while the priest chuckled.

“I saw one dive into a fountain in Waterdeep the other day,” I chuckled remembering, “I wondered if for a moment I would have to pull him out. But no, he climbed out and ran towards the city's center yelling something.”

“They are blessed, as are children and fools who cannot know better,” he said smiling.

“Have I met your questions so far, dear lady,” he asked. What is this fascination with people calling me lady? I’m just a minstrel. Manners, manners I reminded myself.

“Yes sir, and I thank you for it,” I replied.

“I shall go to my bed, then, and rest for my journey to visit my friend,” I nodded, ”She and I haven't met in years, what a tale she must have for me,” he chuckled.

Ever wishing to be solicitous, after all he was only out here because I asked him to come, I asked, “May I escort you somewhere on my way?”

“No need, dear child, it shall not take me long to find my way,” he replied. I nodded in acceptance.

“Fair road to you then,” I said with a curtsy.

He returned the bow, and kissed me on the cheek saying, “'May He watch over you, and help you find your way.”

“If you have need of me, Sonon can generally locate me,” I told him. He nodded, muttered a few words I didn’t recognize, waved, and wandered off, his mechanical beast following him.

After he left, I took a deep breath to calm my jittery nerves, and headed back home. Obviously I had some more chronicles to get a hold of somehow. I had a feeling sitting down and getting Master Gurns to retell everything would be futile, and besides,, he has other things to worry about. So,, back to my notes.

[Gurns]

What a wonderful tale! There I am, mentioned five times, with respect and flattery. The rest of you should take note!

And I'm always happy to share conversation with a fellow bard, especially one with such excellent taste. So if you have questions about the monoliths or Auzrom'tvorl, do look me up. Surely I can make you see the wisdom of siding with folks such as myself, rather than with Auzorm'tvorl (they don't call him The Vile One for naught!), despite the charming tongue of his priest.

[Lilira]

But of course Master Gurns. My mother always did strive to teach me manners,,

Respect for ones elders at the top of the list.

*innocent look*

Lilira

[Sonon]

don't insult my friend the priest

[Yasden]

If he were a priest, he could fix that nasty cough of his, by praying to his...god(?). Fool.

T