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 Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:40 pm
Ilythara had had enough. The dream had plagued her for the last time! She had fallen asleep the night before and been visited by it again. She felt terrible, as though she had been hit by a friggen riding lizard and dragged for several yards over rocky ground. She rubbed her eyes, and stared at herself in the water bowl in front of her.
She grimaced at the horrible sight she made. She definitely needed to do something about the damned dream before she became insane from it like her Matron and elder sibling had. She was not going to let the curse claim her like it had all the rest of the females of her House. Determined to change the fate that her ancestors had brought upon the House of Chan'drasen she splashed her face with the ice cold water, rubbed it dry and then climbed into her armor.
Her sore muscles screamed in protest of the movements, but Ilyth ignored them, letting the pain wash over her with gritted teeth. Nothing was going to stop her today. Not even running into one of the House Matrons' that had destroyed her House in a joint attack years before. If she was going to become fit in mind as well as she was in body, she had to disregard everything and find a way to stop the damned dream from coming back.
Once dressed and cleaned up, she left her makeshift home in the abandoned building she had taken residence in the night before, she made her way towards the temple where the priestesses resided. She had tried several years earlier to get a priestess to close her mind off from the dream and the familial curse but apparently that hadn't worked. This time...she'd better find a more able priestess than the last time. Or she'd have to take drastic measures.
It was only when she was a few feet away from the temple, did she think of the price a priestess might demand for her services. Ilyth cursed at her scattered thoughts, and felt her belt for the pouch of gold that she usually had. Thankfully it was there, albeit somewhat limp from having spent most of her money on food and drink the night before. She sighed, and prayed that the priestess might forgo the full price up front and agree to take half at a later date.
She strode up the dark marble steps and into the temple, hoping she wouldn't have to look for to long before she found a willing priestess to help her with her problem. She was waved through by two guards at the door, who she turned her axe over to rather reluctantly. Probably in an attempt to protect the priestesses inside from a surprise attack. Though...that would have been a stupid thing to do, priestesses could do serious damage to anyone who was stupid enough to try and attack them.
She scowled, and let herself into the study area of the temple. If she was going to get a priestess to help her, it would be best to get one who studied, they might be more willing to help her in order to get out of studying. Not to mention they might know more about what could help her than the less studious would. She was rather happy to see one female sitting at a nearby table laden with stacks and stacks of books completely absorbed in what she was reading. Ilyth strode over, and asked in hopeful tone. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to make some money by helping me out with a problem?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:09 pm
Akorbaste had decided to spend her day researching in the temple. There was always more to learn and she yearned to make the most of it. She had even started thinking about taking formal classes again, but most certainly in a different city this time. The priestess was insatiable. It was a sweet pain to know that there would always be something out there she hadn't yet mastered.
For over an hour already, the priestess had sat still in her chair. One leg crossed the other, and she leaned forward on one elbow while her free hand methodically moved every page. Her favorite spot was a cool corner of the library's study room. The whole table and surrounding furniture were carved in a dark slick stone. The coolness was comforting on her skin after sitting for hours in what could be a stuffy library. Llurth Dreir's geothermal energy could be oppressive in some locations. Her mind felt distant from her body with such intense focus on the words before her.
Today's topic had ended up yet again being the study of using light in various forms as a weapon. It was something which Akorbaste had some knowledge of, but the use of light particularly intrigued the priestess. She had begun the morning searching for books about various temple practices. Who knew that one could even study brazier use. Already Akorbaste's eyes had flitted over a stack of books.
"I don't suppose you'd be willing to make some money by helping me out with a problem?"
The priestess's ears at first did not connect the words together. They danced off, addressed to someone else in the library, to someone outside of Akorbaste's world of printed words. Her dark golden eyes drifted up off the page as she realized that there was no one else nearby to address but herself.
"Help you? Why would I want to do that?" It was an honest question, delivered in a flat tone devoid of even irritation. She was no philanthropist and would rather study than walk out of here with this.. warrior. The rough looking thing could probably not afford to give decent compensation. Malune would be the one to send such a fool to disturb her.
Akorbaste dropped her eyes, pretending to cooly pick up her reading once more.
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:28 pm
The coolness of the room eased the sticky mass of sweat that had begun to pool down the back of her armor, as Ilyth waited patiently for the priestess at the table to answer her question. By all appearances, the female hadn't even heard her question, her full attention on the pages before her. She could barely imagine that the priestess was actually taking in everything on the pages as quickly as she flipped through them. But she supposed there had to be drow who were gifted in such areas. Perhaps she should have taken more time in reading when she had been younger, but its not like she had the time to do so now. She was too busy with missions and jobs that came her way.
When the female responded with "Help you? Why would I want to do that?" in a bored flat tone, Ilyth's hope sank.
She decided that perhaps it would be better to find someone in a different part of the temple, for some reason this one didn't have any sort of incline for gaining more funds.
However, for whatever reasons she had, Ilyth was determined to interest the female, and perhaps gain her help with the problem.
"I don't suppose you've come across any way to negate familial curses from people in those books of yours? I need help getting ride of one, is why I ask. And I am willing to compensate you with whatever it is that you have need of. Perhaps you have some annoying family member that needs a lesson or some one who needs to be killed off for some reason. I'd be willing do trade whatever it is you have need of in return for whatever help you can supply me."
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:09 pm
Akorbaste's interest had already been struck, but it was nice to hear how desperate this warrior was. The Priestess raised her head at the mention of an annoying family member being offed, golden eyes glinting. This type of compensation was certainly more useful than a gold coin. But practicality was there to calm her rash desires. Perhaps this one could be of service later. Afterall, it would be nicer to have a favor to call for in a real time of need.
The drow before her had an interesting situation. Curses were not something that one wanted to have to deal with. In Akorbaste's opinion, the only true curse could come from Lolth herself. And it was not anyone's place to derail Lolth's will, rather, she could only hope to show a wayward drow how to regain favor. Akorbaste was not convinced so far that there even was a real curse, but in any event, she always enjoyed a reason to preside over a sacrifice.
"Well, you'll have to tell me a little more about this curse." Akorbaste waved casually, her hand gesturing at an empty chair. "I appreciate your open offer of compensation.." Silly. She wanted a name to use and realized she didn't have one yet. "My name is Akorbaste."
A slight grin quirked the edge of Akorbaste's lips as she waited with genuine curiosity to hear about the curse.
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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:43 pm
Ilythara was pleased to see that the priestess' interest had been peaked, and though she didn't care to share the reason for the curse with many people, she figured there wasn't any way the priestess could help without knowing. She bowed her head slightly, and bent down on one knee and began to speak.
"The curse was brought on by an ancestor of the Chan'drasen House. They defected from worship of Lloth and went to follow after Elistraei. Curse her. In return for this, our House was cursed because the others of the House were not able to hunt the defected individual down and destroy her. Thus, every female as been cursed with horrible dreams which after years of having turn every female mad. So far, I have been able to escape the madness, but it's really only a matter of time. My Matron and the eldest daughter were destroyed by rival houses, when it was apparent that they had fallen out of Lolth's favor because of their own actions. For some reason Lolth saw to it that I escaped death, but I am still plagued by the same crazed dreams.
Though I suppose, the curse would be broken if I were to go to the surface and destroy the children of the defected family member. However, that seems a bit more than I am able to do at the moment. If you can help me with the problem, I will leave the offer open to you. However if you are not intrigued or willing to use up your resources to help, forget the matter."
Ilyth suddenly realized she had forgotten to share her name with the priestess and mentally groaned, and then added, "I am Ilythara Chan'drasen. I will allow you to think the matter over before you give me a decision. Just let me know how long you will need to decide the matter."
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:10 am
A just curse by any means. Akorbaste knew that there was no way she could lift it permanently. It would be foolish to attempt but that did not mean there was absolutely nothing to be done. She shrugged under the weight of her warm cloak, "No need to wait long. I think I've made my mind up."
The effects of Lolth's will could certainly be lasting and could drive a House to destruction. It was almost admirable to see someone like Ilythara determined to set things right in the face of such odds. Almost. The drow wanted to escape madness to preserve herself, but fortunately it appeared any selfish interests happened to line up with serving Lolth. As they should. A mad person would never be successful in hunting defectors nor doing anything else of worth.
Akorbaste's golden eyes roamed the temple ceiling, taking in the steady reminders pouring down from the spider representations depicted everywhere. The priestess was considering a way to suggest another opportunity for Ilythara to help herself. A proper sacrifice and blood spilled would be pleasing to Lolth. Unfortunately, whether it would be pleasing enough to abate the dreams was an impossible question. Let Ilythara make her move and let Lolth decide what is was worth.
Akorbaste's smooth voice snapped, her words quick and assertive, "There is nothing I can do, your House should be cursed."
The priestess paused and leaned forward in her chair, "But you might do something to show Lolth you are serious about gaining back her favor." She restrained herself carefully from smiling in anticipation, "Tell me warrior, have you ever performed a sacrifice?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:19 pm
Ilythara held back a sneeze as she waited to hear the priestess' reply. The library was rather dusty, not to mention damp. She frowned. Wouldn't a library be more so...dry? To keep the books from molding and all? She shrugged away the thought. She was only a warrior after all, and didn't really know much about what it took for the upkeep of books. Perhaps common sense wasn't used by those who took care of the temple.
Or maybe she had brought in the dampness..her cloak was rather covered with sweat and perhaps since she was inside away from the heat of the volcanoes the sweat was starting to cool on her skin. She sighed, and took it off, folding it and draping it across her shoulder so not to spread her sweat elsewhere.
Finally the priestess spoke.
The elation that had filled her, quickly dissapated with the crushing words of the priestess ringing in her ears. She felt her spirit go cold at the priestess' assessment of the curse.
Yes, so her family did justify being cursed. However she did not. The family, the house had all died out, save her. Perhaps she could do away with her House name and be adopted into a new House. Maybe that would be enough for the Goddess to allow the curse to be anulled from her.
However...the words the priestess spoke next were more so...gratifying.
Yes, a sacrifice did fit her more so than letting the House name to die out by her being adopted into a new House. A calculating, intense look engulfed her face.
"How would one go about performing a sacrifice Akorbaste?" The bloodlust that lurked began to well up inside of her.
Yes...a sacrifice would be fitting. Not to mention more her style. Not to mention that much more satisfying to her. A slow, rather evil grin formed on her lips at the thought.
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:44 pm
The priestess cracked a subtle smirk, eyes gleaming as bright as her polished headpiece. Her smile came with pleasure at the look on Ilythara's face. The other drow was more than fairly eager at the prospect of a sacrifice. A determined soul. Lolth be praised. A priestess rarely wanted much more than someone so eager to do what must be done. Of course, Akorbaste admitted to herself, what a priestess thought must be done was rarely easy.
"A sacrifice can be done any number of ways. I’m glad you seem eager to learn, it’s quite a rewarding endeavor which I would think more drow would seek to learn..” Akorbaste trailed off, her face looking momentarily displeased. She jumped back to answering Ilythara’s question. “Even more important than how, is who. It pleases Lolth to have her faithful sacrificed, maybe even more than it does to have the heretics done away with. But with your curse..." She shrugged her dark slender shoulders, "either way, you will find a female to be sure. Another benefit if your House does not have a proper temple, with a sacrifice there is no better opportunity to at least dedicate a room to Lolth."
Akorbaste gave a short contented sigh as memories ran over her. Sacrifices yielded feelings, both physical and mental, like nothing else. An intense pleasure maybe. It could fill you with a cleansing intoxicating rush of power. If you weren’t careful, it could surely get the best of you. As a young priestess in training, Akorbaste had been a little apprehensive and nervous on her way to attend her first sacrifice as a participating priestess. There was no uncertainty about being willing to kill. Her nerves came from fear of screwing something up, even if only the most insignificant detail. Ruining a sacrifice could be double the insult to Lolth. But ever since that first success, her confidence as a priestess had been unshakable.
"We'll need to do some shopping too." Even if the House had a private temple area, it would be better to start anew with unblemished instruments.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:38 pm
Ilythara knew she had found a comrade...at least at heart, when she saw the bright gleam in the priestess' eyes. At least this priestess seemed much more eager to help her with her problem than the other priestesses that she had visited before. She couldn't help but ponder the possibility of absconding with one of them to use for the sacrifice. The idea made her grin even wider.
She was also rather pleased to hear Akorbaste's next words. It seemed the priestess had the same sort of idea as she had had only moments before. She almost rubbed her hands as the eagerness and delight at the whole proposed way of dealing with the curse welled up in her once again. Until Akorbaste brought up the whole deal with needed a proper temple or room to use for the sacrifice. Then she felt rather disappointed that she didn't have an area that would suffice for the sacrifice.
"Well...I don't really have a House currently." She replied with a slight frown. "I guess I didn't really explain that well enough. The House, and my family were completely wiped out, I was the only survivor. The building that used to house the family is in ruins and isn't really in the proper order for a sacrifice to be carried out."
Ilythara wasn't too surprised to learn that they would need to do some shopping. Though she was rather, pleasantly surprised when Akorbaste pretty much assumed that the two of them would be working on the sacrifice together. She was relieved that she would have an expert to help her get everything she needed set up for it. She would have been at a total loss at what to do and how to carry out a sacrifice to Lolth properly.
"Would you have anyone in mind that we could use as a potential sacrifice? Perhaps someone here in the temple who's been a bother to you in some way? I was thinking that a priestess of Lolth would be a rather...suitable victim to use. Unless of course, Lolth has other plans for the priestess than to die at our hands."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:37 am
No wonder that Ilythara was so determined to rid herself of the curse. No one else had survived it. It was unfortunate for her to have no home left, but Akorbaste had to consider what could be gained from aiding in this sacrifice. Akorbaste did not even want to think about how badly that House must have displeased Lolth. Yet, Ilythara had survived. Clearly, in the priestess's mind at least, Ilythara had been given another chance. A particularly potent sacrifice it would be. So Akorbaste considered other locations. There really weren't many options. They would have to go back to the Oussekt'ar private temple.
"If Lolth has other plans for her, then she will not die at our hands. But Lolth will be greatly pleased if we are successful." The words sounded contradictory, but Lolth was a goddess of chaos and overall fairly unpredictable.
"I have a few unfavored females in mind, but let's not waste anymore time here. Maybe I can show you another location for the sacrifice." Akorbaste stood from the temple library table, drumming her fingertips over the cool stone. A deep breath. Her blood raced. She was feeling very alive. This endeavor of theirs would not just benefit Ilythara, no, Lolth's favor would shine on Akorbaste too.
Malune. She would greatly wish to have that sister's blood spilt before her goddess. But patience. Let Malune see what the priestess was willing to do. Malune had not yet lost Lolth's favor so Akorbaste planned to wait and be ready as soon as the spider's grace did crawl away from the eldest Oussekt'ar daughter. Not Malune today then. If not Malune, then who to suggest? There was that wretched Qilna. Qilna was the daughter of Matron Dab'raxae's sister. Her favored sister. Qilna was a brash yet foolish priestess and Akorbaste sufferered with the knowledge that Qilna thought herself capably in line for being Matron. Akorbaste's blood boiled and her mind was decided. They had found their priestess. Qilna had tried to cling to her mother's skirt and weazle herself into Dab'raxae's favor too long. Lolth would decide who kept her favor in the Oussekt'ar house.
Akorbaste mused to herself as she gathered up her few belongings from the table, 'And let it be a warning to you Malune if I succeed.'
Without giving any instruction to Ilythara, Akorbaste simply straightened her long black cloak, flipped up the hood and slipped outside through the nearest side door of the temple. The priestess trusted the other drow to follow. Their business should be continued elsewhere, back to House Oussekt'ar? Or perhaps the market first.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:24 pm
Ilythara listened eagerly, her red eyes glowing in anticipation.
Finally! A means in which she could possibly place herself back into the favor of Lloth and a way to engage her thirst for blood. She found a frown coming over her face, when the priestess practically contradicted herself as she explained things to her. It seemed rather...difficult. Though of course, anything worthwhile usually was.
Ilyth remained silent as the priestess finished speaking and stood up. She could almost feel the heightened pulsation of the priestess's blood. Ah...so she too was eager to begin things. This relieved Ilyth immensely. It seemed that most higher up people took their sweet time in going forward with plans, and would spend hours...days..perhaps even months planning things down to the smallest detail. It rather infuriated her. At least this female wasn't one of those. If she had been, Ilyth probably would have grown impatient with her and broken off the unspoken deal with the priestess.
Finally, after several moments of standing still, the priestess smoothed out her long cloak..a black one, pulled the hood up and then started towards the nearest door. Ilyth followed a few paces behind her. She was a bit surprised to find herself outside the temple.
"I'll have to remember that door." She muttered to herself, and then spoke up a little louder to the female in front of her.
"Akorbaste, if you'll wait a moment I need to retrieve my weapon from the temple guards. It shouldn't take me too long."
Without waiting to see how the priestess took it, Ilyth turned towards the front of the temple and hoofed it to the front, grabbed her double sided axe from the pile of weapons waiting to be retrieved.
One of the guards looked up in alarm at her abrupt appearance, stared around a bit confused and then stood down as Ilyth shook her head and rolled her eyes at the man. Then she quickly made her way back to where she had left the priestess.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:19 pm
Akorbaste just nodded, caught off guard a moment after the warrior explained that she needed to retrieve her weapon. It shouldn't be surprising to think that a drow would bring a weapon, but being a priestess, Akorbaste had forgotten ever having to deal with the temple guards.
She lingered slowly in the small courtyard area. No need to wait long hopefully. The quiet courtyard was partially enclosed by the temple walls and at the center of the open area stood one of the temple's larger sculptures of Lolth. Akorbaste waited and contemplated the Goddess's statuary likeness, her spirit lifting as a spider ran across.
Not a long wait at all. Ilythara had rushed back already. And this time she also carried a large axe. Akorbaste noted the weapon, a little surprised at the unwieldy look of the heavy thing.
"Well. Now that you're ready." She wasn't displeased by waiting, but better to sound like she might be. The priestess gestured slightly, wanting to continue their conversation as they walked. After exiting the courtyard, she chose to follow a left turning street heading further down into Llurth Dreir. The street ran to the heart of the market, but Akorbaste did not plan to follow it quite that far. Her particular favorite supplier of incense and other useful ceremonial products held shop in a very prime spot not far from the temple. Wise merchant.
"I don't see a reason to wait to do this if you don't. The mark I have in mind should be easily available." Akorbaste smiled as she mused. "I would assume our plan is to keep my dear friend conscious for the ceremony.." She slowed her footsteps as they approached a peculiar short set of wide double doors. She rapped sharply and the door slowly swung in about three inches. Akorbaste pushed it open the rest of the way. "Watch out. There is about two steps down."
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:13 pm
Ilythara rejoined the priestess, pretty much ignoring the displeased comment from her. She figured most drow kept waiting would be a mite upset, especially when they were looking forward to getting ready for something that would be an exciting experience for them.
She followed the priestess out of the courtyard, keeping silent as they traveled. She kept her mind blank as the priestess kept talking, so she would remember everything that the woman was telling her.
"Ah yes...a conscious victim would be much more pleasing to deal with. Though..the mark will have to be restrained or drugged in some way so that they are easier to work with," Ilyth commented as the priestess slowed down and approached a set of double doors.
The door swung open a few inches after the priestess knocked, making the priestess have to manually push it open the rest of the way. Ilyth caught the door, and held it open easily despite it being rather heavy, and marveled that such a petite woman could have opened it so easily.
She took the priestess' advice and stepped down into the store, keeping several paces behind Akorbaste as she followed her into the store.
The acrid smoke that filled the air stung Ilythara's eyes and nose. She covered her face with the edge of her cloak and glanced around the store. Her gaze took in shelves and shelves of potions, ritual type of items, as well as incense burners all over the store. She sneezed from the smell, and wrinkled her nose in her cloak. She hoped that the priestess or the shop owner wouldn't be offended by her reaction.
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:57 pm
The door hadn't been too difficult to move once it started swinging in, but Akorbaste was glad Ilythara stepped up to hold it open. The other drow was correct about needing to either restrain or drug Qilna. Akorbaste favored a potent potion, with any luck the owner should have what she was looking for here. He didn't keep it out on any shelf, but if one knew to ask then it was available. The priestess had acquired it for a ritual once before.
Akorbaste ignored the sneeze from the unaccustomed Ilythara. She reveled in the scents herself, but a shop of it really could get overwhelming.
The owner approached. Just inside the door sat a table with a wide stone jar on top. "Here." The merchant lifted the lid, "Take a pinch to clear your nose." To Akorbaste he continued, "Good to see you back, Priestess, what can I get for you?"
"Well, we'll need to browse your incense in a moment, but I'm particularly interested in a special order."
"Of course. Only the best for those who serve the Spider Queen." The older merchant eyed the axe and Ilythara a little reluctantly before he continued back to another door. "Follow me, my assistant will watch the main room."
Akorbaste had been in his workroom to see his current supplies before. He did not produce any poisons per say, but the vials of his own concoction were expensive and potent. The drug that Akorbaste had in mind for Qilna could be politely called a strong sedative. With any luck, there would be some here and they could continue on with their business.
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:24 pm
Ilythara took the offered powder gratefully and was immediately relieved of the overwhelming scents. She breathed in deeply, rather surprised at how the incense no longer bothered her. She kept silent, listening to the conversation between the shop owner and Akorbaste.
She wasn't surprised when the merchant eyed her and her axe rather warily before he led them off into the backroom. Ilythara had the fleeting thought to stay behind, and to allow Akorbaste to deal with the merchant, but figured she might as well see everything that the priestess had to go through for the sacrifice. That way, if she ever thought to do so again, she'd know what to ask for and what items she might need; so she followed a few steps behind the priestess.
The workspace that the merchant led them into was kept rather dark, with only a few candlesticks flickering in random places around the room. She squinted around at the shelves and piles of crushed herbs on a long counter. They came to stop at the end of the counter, where he turned to Akorbaste and asked, "What is this item that you would like to special order? Is it anything like what you ordered the last time?"
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