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| Action Id: 4837 | Crisis: | Participants: Jaenelle, Vitalis, Jeffeth, Arman, Pasquale, Vasile, Thea, Medeia, Noah and Sierra | |
| Status: Resolved | Submitted: Dec. 8, 2023, 8:03 p.m. | Public: True | GM: Apostate |
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Action by Jaenelle
To strengthen the Lyceum's legacy and form things that will stand the test of time, the Lyceum's past must be understood and accepted. Malrico was a large part of the history, good or bad, its a simple truth and when he was killed it did not change the fact that he had his fingers in more pies than people knew. After his death a map was found, and while it was not like any other map it was clear that it led to something and whatever that was was connected to the Prodigal. Sierra and Sienna brought the map to Jaenelle, and from there it was decided that they would finally figure out the strange symbols and unusual landscape to see where the map would lead them. There is no possible way to know what is at the end of the journey, but whatever it is is part of their history they will take back for themselves.
Jaenelle will use her magesight to attempt to work out the odd map, looking for any clues which may help reading it go smoother as well as finding where the map leads.
Action by Sierra
Sierra is, naturally, joining on the adventure as one of the providers of the map. Though she can more or less defend herself if need be she is more offering her support as the map owner (well half the map owner since her twin also holds it) and provide support as a more social type or healer type.
Action by Medeia
Medeia is not the explorer type her sister is, but she is in possession of a vast amount of Lycuem history in her library pertaining to Malrico, the True Lyceum, House Pravus, various Metallics favoring Lycene holdings (like Platinum for Saik, Brass for Hawkmour), and on and on. This map is weird, but so is the history of the Lyceum! There is bound to be some hint to understanding the map somewhere within all of her shelves. Further, the map is probably magical and/or Abyssal. Medeia will further look into any information she might have and consult with her colleagues at the school of the occult in Nilanza to see about uncovering anything that might suggest how to use the map or ensure safety while doing so.
Action by Thea
Thea likes a good adventure. It’s been a hot minute since it’s been one for enjoyment. She’ll likely try and show the others how they can be of use, whether it be the map or directing them to some of the others to see in which way they would be better suited.
Action by Pasquale
Pasquale uses his skills in riddles, ciphers and maps to help decipher what the map is telling them. The past informs the future and perhaps there are great lessons to be learned wherever it leads.
Action by Jeffeth
Jeffeth is a Knight of Solace sworn to the protection of travelers under the light of Gild. And this is clearly a civilization building exercise. And also also - Jaenelle's the one asking. So of course he takes up the task to accompany the journey and serve as a veritable mobile fortress of defense against anyone foolish enough to try and even singe a hair on the Archduchess' head.
Action by Vasile
Vasile is a grand strategist. To the point he knows how to move pieces and make sure work continues even when things seem too dynamic for planning. He will employ his strategy expertise to make sure things go smoothly.
Action by Vitalis
Vitalis has ideas about the map, he stares at it intently, but he isn't as learned on the matters at hand as Medeia, nor as gifted with ciphers and riddles as Pasquale. Maybe he'll see something. When they've unlocked the secrets of the map, he does what the Ghost of Ostria does, scouts ahead and makes sure that there are no nasty surprises.
Action by Noah
Noah is bored and a little adventure could handle some of that. It could perhaps be because he's been researching Velenosa and languages for a bit. Or it could be that this is his final boss level (it's been a good ride). Regardless, Noah is going with his normal flair for diplomacy and relations - this means he's using his brain for figuring things out and perhaps his persuasion at dagger point if needed. He will research what he can about the map and assist how he can.
Action by Arman
Arman considers himself an expert on the history of the Lyceum and on the top of Malrico. As much as one can hope to understand a Herald and the shifting landscape of the 100 cities. Arman hopes to use his expertise and intellect to help decipher the map, wherever it may lead.
Result
It's not easy to find. In fact, it's nearly impossible to find, hidden amongst so much else.
There's a villa in Lenosia. It looks older than most, and it's in among the residences in the oldest part of the city, but it escapes notice as one small villa amongst the very many. It's only on careful investigation that the villa, truthfully designed to be overlooked, has an odd quirk- no one in living memory can ever remember a single person ever entering it or leaving.
Inside the villa, it's simply decorated, and exactly in the style that seems modern enough, and completely unexceptionable. But it doesn't quite make sense, as the place is spotless, but there's no evidence of anyone ever coming in to see to it, or clean it. The Archduchess is able to determine why.
The place is under a powerful glamour, and as she unravels the magical threads around the villa, it becomes clear the spell is old. Extremely old. Older than the Lyceum. Older than the Hundred Cities.
Older by far.
It's a very simple stone hut that is revealed after the glamour is dispelled, and a well hidden trap door in the floor of the place. Descending, they discover an immaculate carved stone passageway leading to an underground chapel constructed of pure gold, and adorned with every gem imaginable. Abyssal script lines the walls. A shrine to Avarice.
The shrine has a mural, telling a story. It shows the very first humans in Arvum, possibly escaped slaves from the elves, and shows their fear and hate directed towards their once captors. It shows a group of humans praying for salvation, and then an image of someone that looks all too like Malrico. It shows the Hundred Cities being built as his direction, with working in allies in Setarco. It then shows the destruction of Caer'alfar, and Malrico holding 13 diamond rings, and then dispatching them out.
The mural ends with several displays. There's a robed figure that looks very much like the Horned God trying to wake the moon, and Malrico recollecting the 13 rings. The final picture shows him placing the rings in a box of black diamond, and the rings shattering, and Malrico casting down the Archfiend Avarice, and ascending to godhood in her place.
On the altar rests a box of black diamond. There's a note written in elegant handwriting that says simply, "To the victors."