A red sun hung still on the horizon in the western distance, its size and color skewed by the dust in the air and its placement in the sky. There were no clouds around it, nor in the sky at all, and up above the moon could be seen forming as the sun sang its death throes and faded into the distant plains and mountains. In the distance, wolves cried their lamentations at their rising lunar master, knowing that their everlasting pain in the hunt was doomed to continue. Whatever darkness the blood mages had worked upon the nature of this place had corrupted it not just in body, but in spirit. Perhaps that was why the Black Star coven was so drawn to this place; there was an obvious darkness within each of them, even if that darkness was pure indifference or amusement at watching the guild stumble around with blood on its hands.
A cool wind cut through the air and tossed the robes of The Guide, brown cowl and flowing garments billowing and snapping like the leaves of a branch in a storm. He held a lantern aloft, lit despite the light that still existed during these dusk hours, which sent a pale green glow across whatever it touched as the small blue-green flame within the wrought iron lantern flickered and pulsed. One might almost think it magical, were it not for the liquid solution that could be seen just below the cradle of the flame, drawn up by the primer to feed the light. Earley had asked what the lantern was for when first he had encountered The Guide, and was told it was a sort of protection. But the man had not elaborated further, and the guild's ears did not pry into the matter for fear of losing this opportunity. In his hunt for clues about Cthulhu, and general inquiries into the occult, Earley had stumbled upon rumors of a temple that had existed in Norfova. Before the corruption of the blood magic; before the land had become wrought in pain and misery. Apparently it had been lost, as all great things were, to the dual struggles of time and tide. Long abandoned, it had just... crumbled away.
Remnants of it could still be seen, if one looked closely all around. Boulders lay in the dirt, some of their sides a little too flat. No longer polished, but hinting at an old refinement that was far from natural. Statues half-destroyed and heavily buried, amidst brambles and weeds that had taken root around them. The stones were dark and vibrant against the barren landscape, and once spotted, formed something of a trail that could be followed to their epicenter. It was this trail that Earley had first encountered and taken as a path, until at last he came upon the last remnants of... whatever had lain here before. It was roughly seventy meters tall, and that was merely from the shoulder to the height of its steeple crested crown which cut a red swath against the dull sky. Light glittered off of it in strange ways as the sun stood high overhead, dancing and glimmering. Upon approaching it he had discovered that the light seemed to seep along lines across its surface, like a lattice. It was beautiful and horrifying to behold for it was a thing he did not understand, and he had dared not approach any further than the hand of the construct in spite of its opened doorway.
![[IMG]](http://i.imgur.com/o9cmRve.jpg)
He had traveled to Stokbon and used his connections to find any sort of information about the thing before taking it to Merkaba, as he was intelligent enough not to present her with something without answers to her questions. He was also more than a little cautious regarding her and dungeons after the last one that he had entered with her, but this at least had proven to be tied to no such demonic activity. According to everything he had discovered on it, it was called the Temple of If; as in if you desired it, or if you willed it. Legend held it was a place where power was given, or taken. Fortunes were made, or destroyed. Life was won, or lost. There were a great many 'facts' about the place that he had dug up, but all could be dismissed as superstition designed to scare people into avoiding the place or promises to draw them in. The promises typically were tied to a bandit group that enjoyed hunting down fools that followed their advice, putting themselves into an intricate trap. But he was no fool, and had inspected their operation and found a way around it first. This had all been days of legwork which lead up to the now; the now in which he stood outside the doorway of the place where The Guide waited like a sentinel, barring entrance. A brief discussion with the man had revealed that it was dangerous within; once a promising place long ago, it was now infested and infected with blood mages who had run into it to escape justice, and were Earley to enter alone he would merely add to their minion horde. That was the point at which he knew he had enough information for his... dark mistress, and her carnival of cohorts.
Earley
I have found a temple out amidst the barren land of Norfova, so it shouldn't be a far trek from where we've been holding meetings. I'm including a map so that you can arrive safely; deviating from it in the slightest will put you in the path of some bandits that make this area their hunting grounds, preying on cocky adventurers that have an interest in this place.
Seto, that means you. Put your hubris in a sheath and follow the damned directions, or your lust for a fight is going to attract everything in the area and I
will not assist you when they begin to overwhelm you. That sword you carry is impressive compensation, but the bandits have crossbows and magic from what I've heard, and those are somewhat harder to cut.
Rein, try not to faint.
He paused a moment to inspect The Guide and make a swift judgement call. The man was either a trap or an annoying NPC they'd have to babysit on the quest; either way, not something he looked forward to. And with a name like The Guide it was impossible to tell which it was... A trap seemed almost too obvious. Hm.
There is an NPC at the front of the temple called The Guide who will not let us enter without at least four people, for fear that the blood mages inside will just kill us all and make more minions. Oh yes, by the way, there are blood mages inside the temple.
Smiling, he sent the message, aware that it would likely infuriate everyone in his guild. Nuts to them! Sighing, he laid back against a warm rock and began to watch the stars come out as he waited for everyone to arrive.
@Merkaba
@Rein
@Seto Kurama
@Rook Whisker
@Tharen Crow
@Leon Captor
This is not a list of everyone attending- just all those in the guild. If anyone wishes to join, all they need to do is make a regular post in this thread and remain an active part of it. They will have three days from the time I post this to join in, before I consider it locked for attendance, so that it isn't slowed down by stragglers.
For the most part, I will be narrating the setting and obstacles/enemies, which you will then have the opportunity to dictate how you overcome. No die rolls will be needed, no treasures will be rewarded. No post length is required. Long posts are perfectly fine, but please make sure your post is relevant and do not simply "farm" with nonsense that does not contribute, or that conflicts.
