[Rikesh]
"Well, you've already found the library, so I take it you didn't find what you were looking for in there. It's possible I have some things in here... but your best luck will be in Hasche's work room. He's got a desk with notes locked up in there... and it just so happens, I have the key."
[Hobbes]
"Only since I've arrived here. It started with my ankles," Hobbes lifted the hem of her skirts a little to show him, "when I got burned with magical fire. But recently, I was attacked... my entire body is marked with those spots. I tried using magic to heal a wound, and it turned to bark, and when one of the spots came off, it grew back the same way.
"I feel like it's changing me, in some way that I don't like and don't want, and I'm afraid over time it's only going to get worse."
"Well, you've already found the library, so I take it you didn't find what you were looking for in there. It's possible I have some things in here... but your best luck will be in Hasche's work room. He's got a desk with notes locked up in there... and it just so happens, I have the key."
[Hobbes]
"Only since I've arrived here. It started with my ankles," Hobbes lifted the hem of her skirts a little to show him, "when I got burned with magical fire. But recently, I was attacked... my entire body is marked with those spots. I tried using magic to heal a wound, and it turned to bark, and when one of the spots came off, it grew back the same way.
"I feel like it's changing me, in some way that I don't like and don't want, and I'm afraid over time it's only going to get worse."
"I've heard that name before...a ghost mentioned it" *Daxton stopped to tap his chin for a moment* "alright so what's it gonna take to get the key and the information then?"
"well...if all this has only started since you've arrived here....then honestly the best option seems to just not be "here"" *Kentlr replied studying the bark a bit closer* "I'd miss having another sane person around besides these whackjob villagers....but I've never seen anything like this before. I mean sure...you get magic feedback causing things kinda similar to this sometimes....glowing growths...magical mutations...spell plague....but honestly, nothing plantlike that I've seen before"
Hobbes bit her lip before answering. "It's not a matter I have a lot of control over, to be honest. There's another condition I have, a mistake that Daxton and I are trying to fix, that means we have to be around powerful magic like this. That mansion is the best shot we've had so far."
[Rikesh]
"Up on the second floor, at the end of the hall, there's a bedroom. And in that bedroom, there's a couple of bureaus. In one of those is a scarf. It's blue, and very very soft, and very warm. It's hand knit, and there's a little bleach stain on end. If you get it for me, I'll give you the key. I'll need the time it takes for you to get it to dig out the research."
[Rikesh]
"Up on the second floor, at the end of the hall, there's a bedroom. And in that bedroom, there's a couple of bureaus. In one of those is a scarf. It's blue, and very very soft, and very warm. It's hand knit, and there's a little bleach stain on end. If you get it for me, I'll give you the key. I'll need the time it takes for you to get it to dig out the research."
"sounds easy enough...my only question is though...if it's in the house why haven't you grabbed the scarf already if it's important to you. I thought you had eyes and ears everywhere here. What should I be expecting guarding it that causes even you to pause"
"hmm, well know we are getting somewhere. If you need to be around magic, I'm guessing it's a magic related condition then...and the two could be linked. You may have to tell me about the primary condition to help me figure out what to do about this one"
[Rikesh]
"It's only fair that I tell you what you're getting into, I suppose.
"Long ago, there was a woman who lived here, a witch named Nallva. She practiced dark magic; blood rituals, rituals to keep her young, to make her more powerful. Rituals that required sacrificing children.
"She'd keep them locked up in the house, for use when she was ready. Luring them in, and then trapping them and using them for all sorts of gruesome magic. And when they got too old, if they lived that long, she would keep them as servants for a short time before sending them into the basement. She would tell them that if they brought her something back of use, they would be allowed to go home... but they never did. Except for one.
"Hasche used to keep his workstation down in the basement. After he died, things fell into disuse, became... more corrupted than recognizable. Delirious with pain, violent, creatures became and unbecame, magic became tangled... you get the picture. It's hell down there. But, he also had a daughter. You're staying in her room now. And that's where a lot of these wards come from; he was trying to protect her from some of the more evil things in the house.
"Wards weren't the only things he used. He used golems, and when the girl went down into his workshop, she would have been eaten alive, if not for the fact that she somehow activated one of the golems. It bought her enough time to get out, and she hid long enough for Nallva to go to bed.
"As soon as she was sure the witch was asleep, the girl drove a dagger into her heart. Of course... Nallva had demons bound to her for power, and upon her death, they were bound to attack the person that killed her... the girl did not survive. Many of the demons left after that, but a few remained.
"And so does Nallva's ghost. Some of the demons took vengeance on her, and have bound her spirit to that room. She can't leave, can barely work any magic at all. But my magic is corrosive to seals and bindings and such by nature, and she's had a long time to wear them down. I worry that if I try and go in there, it'll be the final straw, and she'll be freed."
[Hobbes]
"Oh dear." Hobbes sucked in a breath. "I'll spare you the details, but the short of it is, I'm a druid. A very stupid druid, who used a ritual to bind my soul to a demon, so I don't have it anymore. And because of the way the ritual worked... he can't just give it back to me, or even trade it back to me. We think that the mansion would be a good place to find a way to reverse it."
"It's only fair that I tell you what you're getting into, I suppose.
"Long ago, there was a woman who lived here, a witch named Nallva. She practiced dark magic; blood rituals, rituals to keep her young, to make her more powerful. Rituals that required sacrificing children.
"She'd keep them locked up in the house, for use when she was ready. Luring them in, and then trapping them and using them for all sorts of gruesome magic. And when they got too old, if they lived that long, she would keep them as servants for a short time before sending them into the basement. She would tell them that if they brought her something back of use, they would be allowed to go home... but they never did. Except for one.
"Hasche used to keep his workstation down in the basement. After he died, things fell into disuse, became... more corrupted than recognizable. Delirious with pain, violent, creatures became and unbecame, magic became tangled... you get the picture. It's hell down there. But, he also had a daughter. You're staying in her room now. And that's where a lot of these wards come from; he was trying to protect her from some of the more evil things in the house.
"Wards weren't the only things he used. He used golems, and when the girl went down into his workshop, she would have been eaten alive, if not for the fact that she somehow activated one of the golems. It bought her enough time to get out, and she hid long enough for Nallva to go to bed.
"As soon as she was sure the witch was asleep, the girl drove a dagger into her heart. Of course... Nallva had demons bound to her for power, and upon her death, they were bound to attack the person that killed her... the girl did not survive. Many of the demons left after that, but a few remained.
"And so does Nallva's ghost. Some of the demons took vengeance on her, and have bound her spirit to that room. She can't leave, can barely work any magic at all. But my magic is corrosive to seals and bindings and such by nature, and she's had a long time to wear them down. I worry that if I try and go in there, it'll be the final straw, and she'll be freed."
[Hobbes]
"Oh dear." Hobbes sucked in a breath. "I'll spare you the details, but the short of it is, I'm a druid. A very stupid druid, who used a ritual to bind my soul to a demon, so I don't have it anymore. And because of the way the ritual worked... he can't just give it back to me, or even trade it back to me. We think that the mansion would be a good place to find a way to reverse it."
-Daxton was quiet for a few moments, taking all that Rikesh had said in. If Rikesh had been able to see his expression, it would have been caught half way between amused and "oh shit". He quietly sipped his tea-
"hmmm...that could prove interesting...as long as she's too weak to tap into "my" energy it shouldn't be a problem tho. Very well...I'll get this scarf for you. Where should I expect to find the key to the room?"
"hmmm...that could prove interesting...as long as she's too weak to tap into "my" energy it shouldn't be a problem tho. Very well...I'll get this scarf for you. Where should I expect to find the key to the room?"
"ah, that demon would be your husband I take it? He tripped off several of my demon charms last time he was in. Wasn't sure if he was one, or just possessed. Good to know"
*kentlr stood from his seat and walked over to a small bookshelf in the corner of the room. Thumbing through it for a few moments, before selecting a small leather bound journal*
"Unfortunately I myself do not know too much of druidic magics and their associated magical illnesses. Druids tend to steer clear of this area....but, there was one...a few hundred years ago that did live around these parts"
*kentlr opened the journal and thumbed through it, stopping on a page with a hand drawn sketch of a young women. She had piercing eyes and long dark hair, that fell over a slender and pale frame*
"she was mistakenly labeled as a witch around here for her magic, and chased into the dark woods of ebon-moore outside town by a mob of the villagers, I have no idea what became of her after that.....shame too really...she was quite lovely actually" *kentlr replied almost wistfully, his gave glassing over in thought for a moment, before catching himself on what he had said and stammering a bit looking embarrassed*
"I-I mean, so I've been told...by the descriptions in this book. It's um...quite through I assure you....on her....yeah"
*he lifted his tea and drank some of it down quickly in an effort to cut his running mouth off before he made yet more a fool of himself. Then finally with a cough he spoke again*
"If you want answers....I'd say your best bet is with her. Go to the forest, find out what happened to her...and you may also find the answers you seek. After all if whatevers happening affects druids in the area...it might have also happened to her"
*kentlr stood from his seat and walked over to a small bookshelf in the corner of the room. Thumbing through it for a few moments, before selecting a small leather bound journal*
"Unfortunately I myself do not know too much of druidic magics and their associated magical illnesses. Druids tend to steer clear of this area....but, there was one...a few hundred years ago that did live around these parts"
*kentlr opened the journal and thumbed through it, stopping on a page with a hand drawn sketch of a young women. She had piercing eyes and long dark hair, that fell over a slender and pale frame*
"she was mistakenly labeled as a witch around here for her magic, and chased into the dark woods of ebon-moore outside town by a mob of the villagers, I have no idea what became of her after that.....shame too really...she was quite lovely actually" *kentlr replied almost wistfully, his gave glassing over in thought for a moment, before catching himself on what he had said and stammering a bit looking embarrassed*
"I-I mean, so I've been told...by the descriptions in this book. It's um...quite through I assure you....on her....yeah"
*he lifted his tea and drank some of it down quickly in an effort to cut his running mouth off before he made yet more a fool of himself. Then finally with a cough he spoke again*
"If you want answers....I'd say your best bet is with her. Go to the forest, find out what happened to her...and you may also find the answers you seek. After all if whatevers happening affects druids in the area...it might have also happened to her"
[Rikesh]
"There's all sorts of useful bobbles in this house; I'm sure at one point or another, you'll find something to help keep your magic all your own.
"But for now, hopefully she doesn't. Like I said, I stay away from that room, so I don't know what her state is precisely.
"And there should be a pretty complete keyring on the golem in the closet of the room you're staying in. Just write your name on a piece of paper, and replace it with the one in the golem's mouth. Then it'll do whatever you want, including giving you those keys."
[Hobbes]
Hobbes gave him a curious look, pretty sure that he had somehow met this druid in person which would imply volumes as to his own age, but said nothing on the matter. She figured his secrets were his own.
"I'll certainly see what there is to find. I'm just hoping it's not a druid turned tree... or worse." She shook herself a little for saying such things, and then smiled. "But either way, I'll let you know what I find."
"There's all sorts of useful bobbles in this house; I'm sure at one point or another, you'll find something to help keep your magic all your own.
"But for now, hopefully she doesn't. Like I said, I stay away from that room, so I don't know what her state is precisely.
"And there should be a pretty complete keyring on the golem in the closet of the room you're staying in. Just write your name on a piece of paper, and replace it with the one in the golem's mouth. Then it'll do whatever you want, including giving you those keys."
[Hobbes]
Hobbes gave him a curious look, pretty sure that he had somehow met this druid in person which would imply volumes as to his own age, but said nothing on the matter. She figured his secrets were his own.
"I'll certainly see what there is to find. I'm just hoping it's not a druid turned tree... or worse." She shook herself a little for saying such things, and then smiled. "But either way, I'll let you know what I find."
"huh, surprised we hadn't noticed that yet. Alright...golem's are a bit tricky with demons tho. We don't exactly like having things with our true name out and about. Your a clever guy, any way I can give it my name without actually leaving the evidence behind?"
"That would be great if you did. While your looking, I'll also try doing some more research of my own to see if I can find anything else to aid you"
[Rikesh]
"None that I can think of. As far as I can tell, that stuff's pretty cut and dry... but I'm also not an expert."
[Hobbes]
"That would be greatly appreciated." Hobbes smiled at him, and said goodbye before setting back home. It seemed just plain stupid to just go out into the woods, which Kentlr had told her were dangerous, without at least telling her husband first.
"None that I can think of. As far as I can tell, that stuff's pretty cut and dry... but I'm also not an expert."
[Hobbes]
"That would be greatly appreciated." Hobbes smiled at him, and said goodbye before setting back home. It seemed just plain stupid to just go out into the woods, which Kentlr had told her were dangerous, without at least telling her husband first.
"hmmm alright, well I'll think of something. See you soon with that scarf Ricky-boy"
-and with that daxton was off, heading back upstairs to find this golem-
-and with that daxton was off, heading back upstairs to find this golem-
Upon opening the closet, it became apparent that even if they /had/ looked in here earlier, it was likely they wouldn't have found it. The clay thing was buried under a mess of clothes, jewelry, toys, various half finished crafts, and one exceptionally frilly sun hat that had been placed on its head.
It dripped glitter. But gripped tightly in it's still hand was the set of keys that Daxton was looking for.
This was where Hobbes found him when she got home, looking pretty pleased with the progress she'd made. "Hey hon, whatcha looking for?"
It dripped glitter. But gripped tightly in it's still hand was the set of keys that Daxton was looking for.
This was where Hobbes found him when she got home, looking pretty pleased with the progress she'd made. "Hey hon, whatcha looking for?"
"come take a peek for yourself" -Daxton replied making room for hobbes to peer into the closet- "Dormant golem sleeping right next to us this whole time, and it's got some keys I want. I could give it a slip with my name...but I'm loathe to have something with my true name just floating around in something as fragile as a container of clay"
"Huh. Well I guess that explains part of the seal on the floor; this thing's supposed to activate if something comes in. Probably something in particular, if it wasn't triggered by us.
"Azurit told me a good way around that stuff is to use invisible ink, or we could put your name in, get the keys, and burn the paper." Hobbes shrugged. "Or I could just do it."
"Azurit told me a good way around that stuff is to use invisible ink, or we could put your name in, get the keys, and burn the paper." Hobbes shrugged. "Or I could just do it."
"hmm, as much as I'd love my own personal golem man servant....it would likely be safer if you did it. Not as much personal risk if someone cracks it open to see your name...and then you could just tell it to listen to me for awhile if I ever really need it for whatever reason"
"Either way," Hobbes answered lightly, and got a piece of paper off of a dresser. She scribbled her name down, opened the mouth, and replaced that with the paper that had been inside.
Unsurprisingly, the paper had the name, "Hasche" written on it.
As soon as the paper was in place, the golem looked over at Hobbes, as if asking for instructions. This was partially obscured by the overly frilly hat that it was wearing; a shower of glitter fell at even that simple movement.
"Alright, um..." Hobbes had clearly never done this before, and wasn't used to commanding other creatures. "I want you to give Daxton the keys, and also, do whatever either he or I ask you to."
At that, the golem handed Daxton the keys it had been tightly clutching in its hand. It also stood up, revealing an impressive height, and possibly the most horrendous mismatched, cobbled together "dress" imaginable. It was clearly a hodgepodge of many different garments sloppily stitched together. Possibly it was a child's attempt at fashion, possibly it was an attempt to preserve the golem's modesty. Maybe both. Whatever it was, it was an eyesore.
Unsurprisingly, the paper had the name, "Hasche" written on it.
As soon as the paper was in place, the golem looked over at Hobbes, as if asking for instructions. This was partially obscured by the overly frilly hat that it was wearing; a shower of glitter fell at even that simple movement.
"Alright, um..." Hobbes had clearly never done this before, and wasn't used to commanding other creatures. "I want you to give Daxton the keys, and also, do whatever either he or I ask you to."
At that, the golem handed Daxton the keys it had been tightly clutching in its hand. It also stood up, revealing an impressive height, and possibly the most horrendous mismatched, cobbled together "dress" imaginable. It was clearly a hodgepodge of many different garments sloppily stitched together. Possibly it was a child's attempt at fashion, possibly it was an attempt to preserve the golem's modesty. Maybe both. Whatever it was, it was an eyesore.
-Daxton looked the golem over- "alright first order, take off that crime to fashion dress you are wearing. I can't take you seriously at all in that....the hat though...the hat you can keep. I like the hat...keep that always, unless we give you other orders the hat would interfere with. Then you can take off the hat temporarily until the order is done. Such as for taking off that dress for instance"
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