Vesarius and the Church

[Roykagh]

I was hunting a crusader earlier, and ended up breaking into the guild. Logged off inside, so when I logged back on, I found Valkera sitting in the Kitchen.

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Valkera raises an eyebrow.

Valkera says 'What arE YOou dooIing iN thisSs cjhurcjh?'

You smile happily.

You say 'Oh, merely lounging.'

You say 'Drinking some warm, Crusader mead.'

You drink mead from the pot of warm mead.

You feel drunk.

You are full.

Your thirst is quenched.

Valkera says 'Begone froOommm THIis hHoly PlaCEh aT oonNnce...'

You say 'MmMMm, deliciouhhszs, MmMaTilda.'

You say 'KuUhiteh ghoOod...'

You rest.

Valkera mutters something quietly to herself.

Valkera yells 'WiTh the mmiighT anD WIsSsdommm of The Oone God upon mme, i declare crUhszsaode ahgahinZSst drowsSz!'

You must be tired. (yawn)

You say 'Aond wHhaT, pray tEll, dao Yoou InNnTEhnnd tOo do?'

Valkera spits in utter disgust!

Valkera says 'WhhY haveh yOuhh ennntEhREhd tHhE cjhuhRch, uhnnWehLzjaoMEhd?'

You say 'HMmM......'

You say 'II HhuhhNngEr. Pehrhapszs sooMmMe cjrUhsSsadehR flEZSshh wiill szsaTiiaTEh THaT sjraviinnng.'

You call onto A God's power and envelop a crusader in the very stuff of evil.

A crusader looks very ill.

Your evil aura MANGLES a crusader!

A crusader has a few scratches.

Vesarius: [===|===|===|===]

Your magic MUTILATES a crusader!

You parry a crusader's attack.

You block a crusader's attack with your shield.

You block a crusader's attack with your shield.

A crusader smashes into you with his armored shoulder!

A crusader's shoulder smash grazes you.

A crusader has a few scratches.

>>>Some boring battle stuff<<<

Vesarius: [===|===|===|===]

You call onto A God’s power and envelop a crusader in the very stuff of evil.

A crusader is already poisoned.

Your evil aura *** DEMOLISHES *** a crusader!

A crusader is DEAD!!

You receive 0 experience points.

You hear a crusader's death cry.

You get 174 gold coins from the corpse of a crusader.

Before the Cathedral

You stand in a small courtyard created by the space between the massive

battlements and the Cathedral of the Order of Crusades. Its tall jagged

spires rise far above you, with the snarling gargoyle statues sneering at

you from their edges. The battlements lead east and west with the

portcullis south of here and the Cathedral entrance north of you.

[Exits: north east south west]

The corpse of a crusader is lying here.

>>>Huh… no body parts… how inconvenient for my RP. Oh well, I guess we’re going all out<<<

You get the corpse of a crusader.

>>>Back to the Kitchen (ironically enough)<<<

You rest.

You say 'Mmmmm...'

You say 'HEh wass dELicioUhss...'

>>>Valkera just up and leaves. Not very nice!<<<

You tell Valkera 'wahit, deAR.'

Valkera tells you 'whhat do youhh waNt drow...'

You tell Valkera 'rEhTuhHrn toOo mmEh for jUst OonE mooMenT..'

Valkera tells you 'i can hEhar YoOou...'

You tell Valkera 'aoh, wEhLl... ii wIll jjuhst hahvEh to Tear this placE aapaorT, briick by vbriicck...'

Valkera tells you 'youhh wiill bE cleanseD soOooon enoOoUgh.'

Valkera tells you 'aanD Weh wIll RehbuiiLd...'

You tell Valkera 'mMmmmM.. sSzao They say..'

>>>dramatic pause<<<

You tell Isadora 'awh, mmy deaor LAdy mmUse.. hoOow Are yOou, This fiine eveniing?'

Isadora tells you 'Mahvelous, as always'

You tell Isadora 'mmMM. weLl, szsiince youhH ahre in a good mood, PehrHhahpZSs I cahhn iimmproVeh upon iit wiitH a giift?'

Isadora appears in a swirling mist.

You smile at her.

Isadora says 'Did you say.... gift?'

You say 'GreetIiNngZSs, lady mmuhHZsze.'

You say 'I dIiD IindeeD say a ghiIfT..'

Isadora says 'We can skip the formalities and arrive at the point that interests me.'

You say 'PerHapsSs yoOou woUhlD vbe sSsO kiNnD *** toOo follooW mmme? i Wiill szsHooW yaoUh rIgHhT toOo Iit.'

Isadora now follows you.

You say 'Tell mEh, lady. hhaVeh yoouh ehVEhr triehd yoOoUhR hanD at Painting?'

Isadora says 'Knowing no mortality, I have not indulged in mortal methods of expression'

Isadora says 'Though!'

Isadora says 'I have been the subject of a myriad of paintings'

You ponder the question.

Isadora says '.... In one form or another'

You say 'WEll, tHaT iZSs alrighhT. ii haVe never tRiEhd my hand aT MUsing, eiThHer..'

Isadora chuckles politely.

You say 'Sso MmMy giift to you iszs a bRIiehf mmoMehnt Of ROLEh Revehrsal.'

Isadora blinks innocently.

Isadora says 'I'm intrigued'

You say 'Ffor thIisSs hhaour, i sSsHawll be tHe mmmusSze. And yoUh sSsHhAhLL Be My PawiiNter.'

Isadora says 'How so?'

Vesarius says softly, 'And this...' He gestures to the walls. 'Will be both your inspiration...'

Vesarius grins wickedly, 'And your canvas.'

Vesarius takes one of the holy tomes off a nearby shelf.

Vesarius gestures to the book. 'This, my dear lady, will be your brush.' He hands the book to you.

Isadora says 'I have no interest in disrespecting another faith, even a faceless one'

Vesarius laughs deviously once more.

You say 'Aoh, MmMy dear, we dOo nOot diIsresSspesjT tHhemM.'

You say 'We iimmoRTaliIze them!'

Isadora says 'Nor do I have an interest in paying homage to a religion not my own'

Vesarius pulls out his flint and tinder. 'My dear lady. This will be the night that will always be remembered, as the night that the Order of Crusades was burnt to the ground.'

Isadora says 'My, my.'

Vesarius strikes the flint, and lights the scripture. He then replaces it on the shelf, where other nearby books catch fire.

Isadora says 'And why would you commemorate this night with such a bonfire?'

You say 'BecauhHse, My deaR lady. The zjrUhZszadersSz Zszhall be nao MOre.'

Isadora says 'What do you have against the Crusaders?'

Vesarius eyes the blaze with moderate interest. 'Now, lady. This is the moment. Visualize your subject.'

Vesarius ignores Isadora’s question, continuing to dictate. 'Note the way the older books catch faster than the newer. And the shelves, the paint begins to bubble and melt.'

Isadora chuckles politely.

Isadora says 'You have quite the potential as an Artisan'

Isadora says 'Yours is more ... performance art, I would say'

Isadora says 'Wouldn't you agree?'

Vesarius smiles and nods. 'You must visualize every facet of your subject, before you can paint an accurate picture. I merely apply that technique to my life.'

You say 'ViszsuaLiizIng theh LargER picTUrEh.'

Isadora says 'Now, we must discuss form and technique? Do you usually use fire as your tool or do you involve other elements, as well?'

Vesarius once again ignores the question, 'Come now, lady. Not all of us are immortal, and we wouldn't want your clothes to singe. Let us watch from above.'

You say 'Ah, a confessional. How ironic.'

Vesarius grins at Father Jon, as smoke begins to waft up from the Store Room. 'Forgive me father, for I have sinned.'

*thwock!* You slap Jon the Vicar ringingly.

Isadora says 'What is next? After the 'Conflagration of the Crusades'?'

Isadora says 'Your next subject ... Your next inspiration'

Vesarius beams a smile at Isadora, 'Ah, your creative genius astounds me, dear. This tapestry shall be named as you say.'

Vesarius taps his chin in contemplation.

You say 'As for my next work of art...'

You say 'I know the perfect place.'

Isadora says 'Perhaps the 'Elegy of the Elves'?'

You say 'Will you accompany me, my lady?'

Vesarius extends his arm toward Isadora.

Isadora says 'No, no..... I must be returning to the celestial planes soon'

You say 'Very well.'

Isadora says 'Besides, spontaneity is all well and good'

Isadora says 'But true genius requires time and perspective'

You nod.

Isadora says 'I shall grant you that'

Vesarius smiles at the burning Church.

You say 'Ah, my dear. We have created a great work of art.'

You kiss her hand.

Vesarius smiles with no hint of falsehood or malice - he appears completely sincere. 'My gift to you.'

The sparks from the burning church gather into a twinkling butterfly.

A bright butterfly arrives from a puff of smoke.

A bright butterfly now follows you.

Isadora says 'Better than I had expected'

Isadora leaves in a swirling mist.

Before the Fortress Gate

You are directly before the massive gates of the Fortress which stands

upon a small rocky plateau with bottomless depths surrounding its walls.

Only a small path leads southwards from here, well covered by eyes of

numerous guards upon the battlements and their weapons of war trained on

this very spot. A massive gate of some strange sparkling stone or metal is

directly north of you.

[Exits: north south]

A brightly colored butterfly flutters around here.

You say 'Well, well.'

Vesarius takes a long look at the small, fluttering insect.

You say 'Are you to serve as a reminder of this work of art?'

A bright butterfly crawls towards you.

You say 'Perhaps, little creature...'

You say 'You can be my inspiration.'

You say 'Perhaps you will help me make my next work of art.'

Vesarius taps his chin once more. 'I think I shall... compose a symphony.'

>>>Cue Flesico<<<

You tell Flesico 'Tell me, master Herald.'

Flesico tells you 'Yeassss?'

You tell Flesico 'Do you like music?'

Flesico tells you 'Absolutely.'

You tell Flesico 'Well, I happen to have a very special composition in mind. But I need a hand well versed in the notation to aid me. Perhaps you could serve in that respect?'

Flesico tells you 'Likely, likely! Tell me all about it!'

You tell Flesico 'Well, sir, if you will join me in Rheydin...'

Flesico walks in.

Flesico nasales, 'Mm. Smells nice in here.'

You smile happily.

Miss Demeanour leaps from Flesico's shoulder and walks into the shadow of the shelves.

Vesarius pats the small butterfly on the head. 'This is my newest companion.'

Flesico looks at a bright butterfly.

You say 'A reminder, of my most recent work of art - and the inspiration for my next.'

Flesico adjusts his monocle. 'Well well!'

Flesico nasales, 'I have had such colleagues in the past. They are clingy.'

Vesarius chuckles softly. 'As you say.'

You say 'However... this particular companion...'

You say 'Has inspired the symphony we are about to compose.'

Flesico's shoulders tighten as he fishes a pocket watch from his vest.

Flesico nasales, 'Symphony. How charming!'

You say 'It shall come in three parts, I think. Prelude, Body, and Coda.'

You say 'Yes, yes.'

Vesarius begins to hum softly to himself, waving his arms in the air as if he is conducting an invisible ensemble.

You say 'Can you hear it, master Herald?'

Flesico pulls up a small stool and sits on its edge.

You say 'The soft, lone melody of a single harp. Delicately plucking the most beautiful melody...'

Flesico nasales, asking 'What inspires it?'

Vesarius nods faintly, waving his arms slightly faster - and ignoring your question. 'And now, the build. Yes, more, but not too much, too fast.'

You say 'We shall dedicate this piece to those who stand for Knowledge eternal.'

Vesarius gestures toward Flesico.

Flesico tucks the watch back into his vest pocket. 'Gracious.'

Flesico nasales, 'You're making me blush.'

Vesarius smiles faintly, closing his eyes and returning to his conducting. 'Yes, now the winds. The brass climbing slowly into the forefront - the most beautiful fanfare, growing from nothing into everything. Yes!'

Keeping his eyes closed, Vesarius pulls a small piece of parchment from deep within his robes. Pulling out a fountain pen, he scribbles on it and hands it to Flesico. It merely reads, 'Liturgy to the Library.'

Flesico lifts his chin a little, pinching the parchment between his index and middle fingers. 'Ex... exquisite.'

Flesico rolls his olive green eyes dramatically.

>>>And of course… a Scourge Demon walks in, because heaven forbid they not interrupt my RP session<<<

Flesico nasales, asking 'Can we wait at one of the temples?'

Vesarius mutters faintly, 'Damned beast.'

Flesico nasales, 'They do not enter the temples.'

Flesico nasales, 'Please.'

Vesarius turns to look at Flesico sharply. 'Temples? Phaw. We must remain at the source of our inspiration.'

Flesico settles back into the stool. 'Ah? The truth comes out.'

Vesarius turns back to his imaginary orchestra. 'Now then, master Herald. Are you ready to continue?'

Vesarius resumes waving his arms, without waiting for an answer.

Flesico places his hands on his knees. 'Continue.'

Vesarius smiles faintly, his eyes closed once more. 'Now then...' He snatches the paper back from Flesico.

Vesarius pulls some non-distinct object from his robes, holding it concealed in one hand, and the parchment in the other.

You say 'Are you ready, master Herald? Ready for the Coda?'

Quietly, Flesico folds his arms. 'Very.'

Vesarius grins faintly, and opens his eyes. Twinkling with wickedness and malice, he stares very intently at the rows and rows of books along the wall.

Vesarius reveals what he has, until now, concealed in his hand - a flint and tinder!

Vesarius strikes the flint several times, igniting the small piece of parchment in his hand.

Flesico's jowls sink. '...Oh dear?'

Vesarius whistles the same tune he had been humming earlier, presumably the tune he was 'composing'.

You say 'Over the years, men have evolved master Herald.'

'Uh-huh', Flesico drones.

You say 'I am certain that, in these Tomes, lies the first recorded instance in which man created fire.'

Vesarius gestures with a nod to the burning parchment in his hand.

Flesico scoffs. 'This is only a public library.'

Flesico smacks his lips, and Miss Demeanour darts toward Flesico from between a row of shelves.

Vesarius says with a bright, and oddly sincere grin, 'Now, master Herald, there shall be another recording. A recording of the day fire was turned against history.'

Miss Demeanour hops into Flesico's arms.

Flesico nasales, asking 'I am sorry. What are you suggesting?'

Vesarius continues smiling, and walks calmly over to the nearest shelf and ignites an old, dusty tome. Dry and aged, it catches quickly, and the fire leaps to the next book.

Flesico narrows an eye. 'Whoops...'

>>>PK ensues<<<

You say 'A pity, master Herald.'

You say 'You were a great help, in the composition of my symphony.'

Flesico pantomimes a yabbering mouth with his hand.

Vesarius looks to the east, where smoke begins to rise over the city.

You say 'The library burns.'

Flesico nasales, 'One library.'

Vesarius smiles faintly, 'No, not anymore. One work of art.'

Flesico nasales, 'You cost me a lot of money.'

You raise an eyebrow at the notion.

You say 'How is that?'

Flesico gestures at the smoke. 'I will have to re-print those.'

You shrug.

You say 'The symphony is done. Do what you wish.'

Flesico twists an oily hook of his fiery red mustache.

Flesico nasales, 'Oh, absolutely.'

Flesico nasales, 'I was planning on making some real music, actually.'

Vesarius brushes some soot off his robe, where a fireball scorched it. 'And here, I thought you had.'

Flesico nasales, 'Commonly.'

Flesico nasales, 'I was busy with another volume of the Chronicles.'

Flesico sighs with fastidious over-drama.

Flesico nasales, 'Opera has slipped slightly out of priority over the last month.'

Vesarius chuckles softly. 'Well, master Herald. Return to your work.'

Flesico rubs the underside of his chin with the back of his index finger.

You say 'However... never forget the day the Library was burnt to the ground.'

Flesico nasales, 'One highly replaceable and mediocre library.'

Flesico nasales, 'Just one.'

You say 'Now now, master Herald.'

You say 'Sheath that blade.'

Flesico nasales, 'Which? Oh this...'

You say 'Wouldn't want anyone thinking you intended violence.'

You cackle gleefully.