Suddenly Morgfyre

Lillie

What started out as a literal rite of passage for any Nihilist quickly turned into something much, much more awesome.

A hushed atrium.
Tall pillars have been worked with glowing runes, the etched marks shedding a
sullen gleam through the open space between. The floor is worked in a spiral
pattern, sloping gently to a central point, shallow depressions marking several
stations of prayer on the passage downward. Stone arches can be made out in the
gloom above, Nihilistic banners moving slowly in the open air, the cracked bells
suspended from each providing a soft, discordant tone. An alabaster statuette of
Nifilhema stands within an alcove, weeping tears of dark blood. A sigil in the
shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. A platinum eye sigil is
here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. Ticking faintly, an
immense clockwork behemoth lumbers around here. Brother Esca n'Lochli is
here. He wields a blighted symbol of pestilence in his left hand. Warlady
Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame is here, limned in an aura of inky,
shifting calligraphy. She wields a bloody symbol of pain in her left hand and a
delicate, beribboned umbrella of dark silks and amaranthine lace in her right.
You see a single exit leading south (open door).

You whisper, "I-I'm sorry to have...t-that both of you were k-kept waiting."

Marcella snaps to attention zealously at the sight of Nymerya, her posture an
example of perfect military discipline.

Lifting one dark brow, Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "It
is of no matter. Are you prepared, Lillie?"

Pausing a moment to glance over at Marcella, you whisper, "I...I am as p-
prepared as...as I c-can be, Warlady."

Solemnly, Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "Let Lillie
walk the Path of the Lords and Lady."
A heavy presence suddenly hangs in the air, the chamber growing nearly
claustrophobic as some invisible, malevolent force makes its presence known,
power thrumming from the alcoves arranged throughout the atrium.


You have emoted: Lillie eyes the surroundings uneasily, and for just a moment
it seems as if she is about to flee. But she steps forward stiffly instead and kneels.

You drop to one knee, demonstrating your humility and respect.
As you kneel at the beginning of the path, a slow warmth begins to build within
your body, and you feel compelled to shuffle forward, beginning your
progression.

As you move onward, the unevenness of the path pains your bare knees, and the
distance seems agonisingly long until you reach the first station, and the
statuette that rests there.

Carved of white stone, this statuette is draped into a soft silken robe, while
droplets of blood seep from the stone itself, forming a pool beneath its bare feet.
Bracelets of living amaranth blossoms grow around the statuette's wrists.
It weighs about 1 pounds and 8 ounce(s).

You grovel pathetically in the dirt at an alabaster statuette of the Queen of
Insufferable Cruelty's feet.
As you grovel before the statuette of Nifilhema, a wash of pain sweeps over you,
and you glimpse within a red haze, the beautiful and cruel visage of the Queen
of Pain. She gloats, even as she remakes your body in her own image, your own
tortured screams raised in a holy hymn of suffering.

The statuette appears to be singing a harmony in counterpoint to your own, and
you understand that the song is imparting to you knowledge of how the
Cacophony embodies the beauty and beloved darkness of Lady Nifilhema.

Finally, after what seems an age, the pain stops, and you once more are
consumed by the compulsion to move onward, your body aching as you shuffle to
a stop at the second station and the shattered bell that shadows it.

Softly, Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "Before you rests
the bell. Caress it, opening yourself to the calm rage of the Lord of Cracked
Bells."

You caress a riven bronze bell gently.
As your fingers brush over the tarnished surface of the bell, a deafening roar
emanates from within its cracked bowl, anger and a thread-thin sense of control
buffeting your senses. Your breathing begins to speed, and your limbs tense,
quivering with the effort of controlling the rage fogging your mind.

The surface of the bell begins to glow, shadowed images writhing across the
surface, narrating the story of the ur'Guard and the carefully honed rage they
employ to strengthen themselves and protect the Engine of Transformation.

As the images die, your vision clears. Once more, the compulsion drives you ever
onward, your muscles spasming in pain as you leave bloody smears behind you
on the path, the ground cutting into your knees. The third station is before you,
its depression filled with visceral gore that you soon rest within, a bowl floating
on the surface before you.

You have emoted: Lillie approaches the bowl with more reluctance than she has
yet shown. Her hands tremble as she reaches for it. She falters as her fingertips
brush the sides of it, but under Esca's watchful gaze she seizes it and, closing her
eyes, does as she must.

You take a drink of stagnant water from the bowl of Hunger.
Raising the bowl to your lips, you look down on the dark, congealing mass
within, suddenly gripped by an insatiable hunger to consume all before you.
Greedily, you gulp down the pulpy mass, the bloody fluid leaking from your
mouth as you fall forward into the pool.

The pool's surface begins bubbling up into moving lumps of matter, showing you
the interconnection between the Tainted Earth and the constant hunger to
accept the Taint within one's body as a Geomancer, purging all imperfections
from your self in an effort to consume and harness power.

As the small figures decompose and fall back and the pool stills, the hunger
abandons you suddenly, leaving you drained and weak. Your mouth filled with
the cloying, sickening taste of blood and gore and earth, you are driven from the
pool, smears of bodily fluids splashing the stone behind as you near the fourth,
web-wreathed station.

You have emoted: Lillie barely manages her way to the web, leaving a trail of
blood and worse as she continues torturously along her path. Her shoulders
jump and heave with sobs that she wrestles to keep under control, and she
shakes the refuse from the last station from her hand before sticking it towards
the web.

You reach out and touch a gauzy white web.
As you reach out to the web, slender filaments reach out towards your hand,
gently enveloping it in silk. Suddenly you can sense the web's spread throughout
Magnagora, the whispers and movements that make up the flow of knowledge
and power in the city.

As the tendrils twist and vibrate, you see the subtlety of the Ninjakari, their
strength and power in spying and effecting change from the shadows, and their
carefully controlled enhancement of their own bodies.

Gently, the web releases your hand, and you fall back, a faint awareness
lingering in your mind as you turn to approach the final station, set into the
very centre of the atrium. It is here, bruised, weary, dirty, and wary of the
deepening shadows, that you come to kneel before a simple stone font filled with
green-tinted water.

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame leans forward, her voice
breathy with anticipation as she eyes the font. "Turn it, Lillie. Now you will be
judged, your actions, thoughts and true desires weighed in the fires of Nil. You
can hide no secret, no strength, no weakness before the Lords."

Slowly, the font turns to align with a narrow spout, Nil-blessed water flowing
freely over your hands. As it begins to soak into your flesh, you are granted
understanding of the delicate balance between the Lords and Lady of Nil, and
the guilds of the Engine, all working in unison to power the great Machine of
Transformation.

Warmth and feeling return to you, a newfound strength and purpose bolstering
your resolve to employ the Arts of the Church of the Five, blessed so favourably
by the Supreme Master of Nil to truly understand the gifts bestowed upon those
of the Taint.

The weight upon you lessens, finally allowing you to stand before the font. The
bells of Nil above you begin ringing with a booming series of hollow tones,
heralding your acceptance into the Fold.

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame moves forward to kneel before
you, brushing a streak of something unidentified from your cheek and smiling
softly.

You have emoted: Lillie shudders and stares forward blankly.

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "Welcome to the Church,
Sister Lillie. Perhaps a rough welcome, being bathed so fully in the blessings of
Nil, mm?"

Pectus presses a thumb to your forehead, a cold shiver creeping down your spine
as she offers the dark blessings of the Demon Lords of Nil upon you.

Esca lowers the hood on barbed robes of gold-etched chitin.

You have emoted: Lillie remains silent, her expression a numb mask,
unreadable. She barely moves for nearly a full minute before managing, "I...I..."

You bow your head in obeisance to the Demon Lords of Nil and grunt in pain as
wounds open up in your back, sprouting leathery bat-like wings.

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame snaps her fingers at Pectus.

"Perhaps you could do something more useful and fetch a clean cloth, yes?"

You have emoted: Lillie clutches her head and groans in pain, twisting in agony
as her wings erupt from her back.

Pectus purses her lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as she carefully
gathers her thoughts.

Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer of Shards says to Esca, "Esca, give your
Aunt a cloth."

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says to you, "Ah, my dear
Sister. The pain is fleeting, but the glory of Nil never fades."

Not seeming to address any of those gathered, you whisper, "I-I'm...s-sorry."

Brother Esca n'Lochli frowns but begins rummaging around in his pack. After a
moment and a faint tearing sound, he produces a scrap that he hands to Pectus.

Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer of Shards clicks her tongue loudly at Esca
and the shred of cloth. She steps up to you, crowding a touch too close to the girl,
and begins to carefully wipe the various liquids and fluids from you visible skin.

You have emoted: Lillie slumps forward, lying facedown on the floor and
completely inert. She seems to have fainted.

Nine orbs of energy form about Marcella, each equidistant from its neighbors. A
glowing arch of divine energy jumps from one to another until a perfect ring is
formed. Sweeping inwards, the ring of energy collapses about Marcella before
lancing skyward in an arch of light.

A fragile, shy voice says, "An amusing service to Nil, this one."

lol who the hell was--

Pectus curtseys gracefully before Morgfyre.

Esca bows respectfully to Morgfyre.

He is a radiant immortal and is the sublime vision of a man flowing with
currents of power, whose idyllic body is the spectacular dance of the cosmos and
planispheres, as ancient as eternity itself and as capricious and resplendent as
the rhythm of creation. A maelstrom of fiery, burning hair cascades around His
broad shoulders, and His vivid eyes are as brilliant as the stars and as
fathomless as the abyss, bespeaking unimaginable and untold wisdom as they
swim with prismatic colours consuming each other in endless spirals. When He
speaks, each remark comes in a distinctly different voice - as though a committee
were trapped within. He is wearing constantly flowing robes of shifting colours
wrought from the twisting, chaotic nether, a living Ouroboros ring and a crown
of stygian fire which hangs over His head.

With a menacing growl, a guttural voice says, "Certainly not what one would
expect."

An unnerving, pervasive voice says, "Though We suppose they rarely are, in
their youth..."

Glancing at the limp, fainted form of Lillie, Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer
of Shards says, "Forgive us, My Lord Legion. Had we known You would be
coming, we would have at least propped her up a mimicry of life."

Brother Esca n'Lochli opens his mouth to speak but then snaps it shut again,
making a faint gurgling sound before quieting.

An understanding voice confidingly says, "It is no matter. The Warlady is like of
the mind that the blessings of Nil have proven particularly effective."

With a foreign, slurred speech, a deep voice says, "Then again, perhaps her
stomach has merely turned. A disservice you have done to Gorgulu, so quickly
removing the reminders of his teachings."

Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer of Shards says, "She is wearing white silk.."

Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer of Shards says, "It will stain!"

Brother Esca n'Lochli says to Pectus, "...well, it's not white any more."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Nymerya's lips.

Morgfyre smirks.

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "Ah, many blessings and
greetings, Lord! It is a true pleasure to be in Your wonderous presence once
more. Indeed, I was overcome for many moments!"

Nymerya curtseys gracefully.

Utterly compassionless, an emotionless voice says, "Naturally, esteemed of
Raezon. We understand it is not often that you find yourself before one of your
Pantheon."

An officious, lecturing voice says, "We are, as We said, simply curious. Quite
curious indeed."

Esca peers at you unscrupulously.

Pectus gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.

Brother Esca n'Lochli says, "A shame that she won't even be awake for such a
momentous occasion."

Esca clears his throat.

A pedantic, blithering voice says, "This youngling has spoken with Nifilhema,
and taken the deep pact of Luciphage."

Utterly compassionless, an emotionless voice says, "And yet she faints at the
merest exertion, the faintest touch of Tainted Nil."

Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer of Shards says to Esca, "I have seen
noblefolk strike each other in attempt to revive the fainted. Perhaps try that."

Brother Esca n'Lochli says to you, "Time to wake up, dear."

Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "When one has been
immersed in the more... gentle nature of Serenwilde, perhaps such things come
as a dreadful shock, yes?"

A musical, lilting feminine voice says, "More, We fear, is the pity."

You have emoted: Lillie blinks a couple of times and stirs. First her wings twitch
and flutter, and then her eyes open.

You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Exotic, heady fragrances of pungent cinnamon and myrrh tickle your senses,
mixing with a slick, oily aroma.

Brother Esca n'Lochli whispers to you, "It is unbecoming to be laid out as such in
the presence of the Lord Legion."

You whisper to Esca, "What...?"


Brother Esca n'Lochli holds a hand out to Lillie to help her to her feet.

Morgfyre lifts a finger, and Lillie's body levitates upright, limned for a moment
in a greasy halo of black-green light.

Sobbing quietly, a pleading voice says, "Ah. There you are."

Esca bows respectfully to Morgfyre.

You have emoted: Lillie wobbles uncertainly on her feet - and off of them - as she
is lifted into the air. About halfway through her levitation, she seems to realize
what's happening, and stiffens in surprise.

You exclaim, "M-Morgfyre...!"

You have emoted: Lillie takes a couple of stumbling steps backwards in fear.

Stressing the first word, Brother Esca n'Lochli says to you, "Lord Morgfyre,
dear."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Morgfyre's lips.

Brother Esca n'Lochli whispers to you, "This would be an appropriate point to
bow and such."

Nymerya nods solemnly.

Awkwardly bending forward to try to make her ignominious stumble look like an
intentional part of a bow, you whisper, "Um, l-Lord Morgfyre..."

The form of Legion seethes with chromatic whorls of colour, small wisps drifting
away to evaporate with a hiss in the stale air of the enclosure.

Screaming in agony, a chorus of voices says, "You, child, are an anomaly. We
would speak with you."

A voice filled with dark amusement says, "The Serenwilde, is it?"

A low, squeaky growl can be heard as Arun, the Displaced Dream suddenly spots
a bug on the ground. Without hesitation he begins to chase it, but the battle
with the insect quickly ends when he catches it in his mouth and makes it into
dinner.

You have emoted: Sister Lillie Silvermoon, the Silent glances over at Esca,
perhaps hoping that the viscanti is the one being addressed. Unfortunately, at
the mention of Serenwilde, she gulps nervously and looks back at Morgfyre.

You whisper, "It...it is, Lord. I-I mean, um, i-it was..."

An eloquent voice, tinged with amusement, says, "No longer, clearly. Why?"

Seditionist Pectus n'Lochli, Devourer of Shards says to Esca, "Perhaps we should
away, yes? It would be rude to lurk on private conversations."

Nymerya frowns at Pectus.

The Iron Key to the Infernal Machine clicks and clanks with a cacophony of
mechanical noises, a trickle of crimson blood streaming from one of the eye
sockets for a moment.

Pectus glances askance.

You whisper, "I...I-I was c-cast out f-from my c-Coven, Lord, b-by...b-because of, of
th-the...b-because of m-my engagement t-to Marcella...Lord."

Morgfyre ponders Pectus thoughtfully, looking her up and down.
Seemingly unable to decide if she should be looking at Morgfyre or not, you
whisper, "I...th-they b-believed her t-to be th-the enemy of...of Mother Moon,
and...a-and th-that she was i-influencing m-my words and actions."

A woman's musical voice like wind chimes says, "Why, you may certainly depart,
should you desire, Pectus n'Lochli."

A riotous flux of oil-slick colour suddenly bleeds from the air about Pectus,
leaving her scarcely a moment to utter a startled cry before enveloping her with
menacing intent, converging into a single pinpoint of chromatic chaos that
winks out of existence, leaving no trace of her.
Leaving a trail of quickly dissipating shadows and unrest, the Displaced Dream
pads away to the ether with a roar of contempt and rage.

Smothering a titter with one hand, Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the
Flame says, "It seems she had pressing business to persue."

Morgfyre's eyes twinkle enchantingly.

A woman's musical voice like wind chimes says, "To the matter at hand. We
gather that Marcella was not insidiously directing your motives?"

You have emoted: Lillie flinches at Pectus' sudden departure, and straightens
again apprehensively as Morgfyre's attention refocuses on her.

You whisper, "N-no. I-I mean...y-You're right. M-Marcella a-and I a-agreed th-
that we w-wouldn't...w-wouldn't t-try to s-sway each other."

A voice filled with dark amusement says, "And yet you are here."

You gulp nervously.

Rather lamely, you whisper, "Y-yes, Lord. I-I am."


Motes of churning colours swim in the air, and a throaty feminine voice says,

"Amusing, as We say."

A bashful, embarrassed voice says, "Luciphage, in particular, is a daunting pact
to take for one of your...upbringing."

You whisper, "I...I owed th-the...th-the Supreme Master r-recompensation f-for
His p-protection."

Shattering the silence, a female voice full of hatred says, "You perceive to well
and truly serve him, then?"

Glancing out of the corner of her eye, Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the
Flame says, "I do believe Sister Lillie will grow into her potential, and repay all
the dedication we have shown to allowing her growth amongst us."

You have emoted: Lillie fingers her symbol uneasily, and surreptitiously folds
her hands behind her back, the hand that holds it sliding it up her sleeve. Out of
sight, out of mind!

You whisper, "I-I...I s-serve as w-well as I c-can, Lord Morgfyre..."

At the darkest hour, the bell tower suddenly springs to life with sound. The
shadows are given voice as its hallowed tones ring in celebration of midnight
over Magnagora.

You whisper, "I...I h-haven't any...a-any delusions a-about my...m-my status a-as
a...a l-liability t-to the Church, wh-when...wh-when compared t-to my...my
brothers and sisters."

Esca nods his head at Nymerya.

Flighty and timid, an apprehensive child's voice exclaims, "You continue to
entertain!"

Morgfyre, the Legion tilts back His head and utters deep, rumbling laughter,
sending rippling swirls of prismatic colours cascading through the air.

Laden with a thick accent, a foreign voice brashly says, "You are no more a
liability to the Church of the Five than Esca, or Pectus, or any other Penitent
who seeks to more fully embrace the dark gifts of the Demon Lords."

Murmuring softly, Warlady Nymerya n'Lochli, Shadow of the Flame says, "Ah,
perhaps a voice she will actually listen to, for once..."

Reminiscent of a hissing snake, a sibilant voice says, "You may serve as well as
you are able, and We shall watch. Amusing, terribly amusing."

You have emoted: Lillie bites her lip and nods compliantly. "A-as you wish, m-my
Lord."

The form of Morgfyre, the Legion dissolves into howling streaks of colour, which
disperse into smoky wisps of aetheric ribbons that slowly dissipate.

Pectus

I met a raccoon!

Lavinya

Really really really would have been nice to have the guild invited to the guild rite, guys, you know, this big event marking passage into the guild proper. Especially with the special guest

Munsia

Bout time we got an active god again, but seriously stop STUTTERING...5 times in 1 sentence...ugh

Marcella

oh god my internet died halfway through i am so angry i missed this

Cadfael

I always loved Lillie's character. Great fun to RP with, and the stuttering never bothered me in the least. Awesome log!

Tacita

One option for the stuttering which would make it easier for you to play, too, is to use it as a prefix? Not all the time, but if now and then you did say (Stammering helplessly) I don't know! or similar, it would be both quicker for you and nicer to read.

More importantly, this was a really nice log - thank you for posting it!