The Temple of Divine Light

[Artemus Kurgen]

Irritated and mightily pissed off that he couldn't find a spell to undo his owm magic, Artemus paced the rooms that Rhaine had provided for him, he owed her much and yet she asked for nothing from him. This did not sit well with the leopard. He trusted her..called her friend, but this did not sit well with his character, no body was like this except holy priests and healers; not an asmodian nor a quasi-vampire.
" I need to vent..."::muttering to himself he returned to the lifeless valley where the Keep had once stood.

" Every damn being able to sense power levels in the aether will notice this." Bracing his feet, Artemus bent his legs to raise his center of gravity. Clutching his hands into fist he summoned up his power, raising it. " Ahhhhhhhhhh!" As his voice raised so did his power level. A wind began to emminate from him, blowing dust outward for yards. The sky above him began to darken and cloud over, traces of lightning flicking in the blue-black nimbus. "Ahhhhhhhh!!" Still his voice continued to raise as the ground beneath his feet began to crack and split. Sttreaks of electricity darted across his chest and circled around his legs and and up his arms.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!" Screaming now, his power blasted outward, the ground rippling around him like a stone dropped into a arill pond. He started to rise in the air as lighning rained down from the darkened and stormy looking sky. The pupils in his eyes started to vanish as he summoned up his fear, anger, and all of his sorrow. His voice boomed for miles, the sound of suffering given a singular voice. Then in one blinding flash of lighning it all stopped.

Panting, sweat dripping down his face, he looked below him, teh ground bubbled and uneven, cracks spread out almost the length of the valley looking like broken strands of a gian spider web. Directly be low his levitating form, the ground and impressed into a bowl shape, looking as though some large meteor had crashed down from the heavens. " Damn..that felt good...." His heart rate slowling, and his power dropping to normal, he vanished from the valley of Kurgen Keep his thoughts now more clearer than they had been in days.

(( Cross posted in Kurgen Keep and Quiet Return))

[Dimitri]

Dimitri walked through the Temple in a daze his mind racing once again. Sylus asked him to rule Kelvar. What the hell would he do there? He can barely control his own life. These were only some of the thoughts going through his mind. He walked up and down the hall infront of Alia anor's door but never went in.

His shoes tapped on the floor and echoed down the empty hallway. Would the Temple allow him to rule Kelvar but still be part of the Temple. Dimitri didnt know what he would do. He would bring this up when he gets to talk to Brother Zed. He was useless out of the Temple. He let Shahai go he protected her as she left. He would bring it up at the meeting. He walked up to Alia anor's door thinks of knocking his hand ready but stops and walks outside lays on the grass and falls asleep.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri walked through the Temple in a daze his mind racing once again. Sylus asked him to rule Kelvar. What the hell would he do there? He can barely control his own life. These were only some of the thoughts going through his mind. He walked up and down the hall infront of Alia anor's door but never went in.

His shoes tapped on the floor and echoed down the empty hallway. Would the Temple allow him to rule Kelvar but still be part of the Temple. Dimitri didnt know what he would do. He would bring this up when he gets to talk to Brother Zed. He was useless out of the Temple. He let Shahai go he protected her as she left. He would bring it up at the meeting. He walked up to Alia anor's door thinks of knocking his hand ready but stops and walks outside lays on the grass and falls asleep.

[Alia Anor Graham]

My time spent in the Temple is too short now that we have officially opened the Hospice, and my time in the dueling forums has been cut to nearly nothing, but the other evening, I was fortunate enough to find Dimitri there. His demeanor was one of sadness. He'd turned himself over to the Azillian authorities, and even as we spoke, one of his golems sat in jail, waiting for the sentencing by his elders.

I could not fathom that they would find him guilty, and I offered to go and speak with the elders, but he did not wish my intervention. It is as though he believes he should accept whatever punishment they mete out, regardless of the fact that it was that vile creature Vanion who actually commited the murders!

As we spoke, I continue to hope that he will come join me at the Temple. When Artemus called him 'useless' after Dimitri could not slit the throat of the blood speaker Shahai, he agreed to meet with Brother Zed. It was time that Dimitri be welcomed into the fold of the Temple.

Artemus and the others will never understand that Dimitri's values lay in other areas, not in the killing of people, despite his years as a military man. His art, his talent, his gifts, those things are not of the destructive kind.

[Alia Anor Graham]

The sun had not yet risen as I left the Temple for the Hospice, and the hair on the nape of my neck stood up.... as though I were being watched. That sixth sense that says you are not alone.

I scanned the streets, and yet nothing seems to stir.....

The roof tops were empty.... no movement up there either.

With a shiver, I headed toward the Hospice, but with my attention focused on trying to find who was watching.

[Dimitri]

The meeting with Brother zed was slowly approaching. He awoke in the morning and headed for the Temple. Dimitri walked in and looked around. He actually didnt know what to do, so he just walked around the Temple wondering how much time was left. He was wearing his military Dress Uniform.

He walked around and stopped outside of Brother Zed's office and sat down and waited for his meeting to begin.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri stood up as the door to Brother zed's office opened. Brother zed beckoned Dimitri in and he did so. He walked in and stood infront of the desk and looked at Brother zed.

"This meeting has been arranged to talk about you wanting to join the Temple." Brother zed said looking at Dimitri.

Dimitri nodded silently and looked at Brother zed.

"I wish to join that is correct. I think the Temple might need my skills sir."

Brother zed thinks for a moment and responds "what skills are you going to bring to the Temple?"

Dimitri shifted from foot to foot and replied "well I bring an entire life of Military. Earth bending skills Fire elemental. Shadow control and some healing and magic sir."

Brother zed nods quietly then says "The white Lady would be happy to have you join us."

Dimitri bowed thankfully "what day will I be initiated sir?"

Brother zed replied "I will have a priest tell you the day."

Dimitri bowed again and left.

[Brother Zed]

Brother Zed glanced through the reports and recommendations on his desk. Operations at the Sisters of Light Hospice were going well. Zed was pleased with the work Sister Alia had been doing. Activity reports at the orphanage were less promising. Perhaps Sister Alia could spend part of her time at the Orphanage as well. It was something to discuss with the high priestess.

A clock on the wall chimed the hour, reminding Zed of his appointment with Brother Osberic. As the last chime ended, a soft knock at the door drew his attention. Sister Naomi stood in the partially opened doorway, undoubtedly to announce the arrival of Osberic. Zed gestured her and the brother in. "Come in Brother Osberic. Come in."

The heavily built brother marched into the room at a military pace, outstripping the sister's own entrance. Zed smiled to Sister Naomi. "Would you please bring us some tea?" The sister dismissed herself and exited the room. Zed turned his attention to Osberic. "I am pleased to see you Brother Osberic. I have read your proposal." Zed motioned to a pair of reading chairs situated near the fireplace. "Shall we discuss the idea?"

Osberic visibly hesitated. As a man of action, Zed knew that sitting was not something Osberic spent much time doing. An ordinary day for the drillmaster started before the sun rose, and did not end until well into the evening when the night patrols had been assigned. The man was always on the move. He managed to be everywhere at once when it came to managing the guard. When not in the practice yard running sword drills, he was inspecting the barracks, or the armory, or performing a spot check on a patrol, or checking the security of the grounds of the temple, the hospice and the orphanage.

Finally, Osberic relented and moved to the chair. He settled himself uncomfortably as Sister Naomi entered quietly and set out tea for the both of them. Zed smiled to himself. "I understand you have concerns about recruitment."

"Yes." Osberic wasted no time waiting for an invitation to expound. "We have enough men for our immediate needs, but with events within the city, our resources will be stretched thin should we be called upon to serve new missions."

Zed nodded in agreement with this point. The news of fires witing Dockside, Dragon's Gate, and New Haven were...unsettling. Some agency, sources reported a dragon, was going to great lengths to cause havok within the city.

"Do you believe the temple is in danger?" Zed asked the soldierly brother.

Osberic shook his head. "No. Bother Vincent's magical wardings should prove more than sufficient to protect the temple from incidental fire."

"Even against dragonfire?" Zed inquired knowing as he did that the nature of dragonfire was different from normal fire. Dragonfire was as much mystical energy was it was ordinary fire, a characteristic that made dragonfire very difficult to resist.

"Between Brother Vincent's wardings, and the high priestess' own enchantments, I've been assured that even dragonfire could not cause harm to the temple. However, the orphanage and the hospice are not as powerfully protected."

Zed spent a moment pondering this news as he sipped at his tea. A hint of some exotic fruit softened the bitterness of the tea. Zed could not place the fruit for the moment. He would have to inquire with Sister Naomi later.

While he considered the tea's flavor, Zed made a mental note to find a more proactive solution to protecting the temple and its grounds.

"You'd like to expand recruitment efforts?" Zed resumed.

"Yes. Even if the grounds are protected, I foresee a need for more guards. As the White Lady instructs, we must protect the Accepted, and if we are to do so effectively we must expand." Osberic gave up sitting and got to his feet. He paced militantly before the fireplace as he spoke.

"Which is why you propose a barracks in each of the city's districts?"

"Yes. We can respond more quickly if the guard is stationed in other parts of the city."

"You will require captains for these stations?"

Osberic nodded. "In time."

"Have you begun considering who among your current complement may be ready for such an assignment?"

"There are some that may suit. Though none are ready at this speaking."

Zed nodded, accepting the information.

"And you wish to rename the guard?" This part of Osberic's proposal had been the most interesting.

"Yes. I wish to give the guard a concrete identity. We exist to serve, but soldiers of all kinds wish to be recognized for their service. I wish to give them a name, and a badge, something they can wear with pride to demonstrate their allegiance and commitment to a calling.

Zed smiled. "And you have already chosen a name?" Zed knew the answer already, since the information was in the written proposal Osberic presented days earlier.

"I'd like rechristen them the Phoenix Guard."

[Vinny]

Brother Vincent sat waited outside Brother Zed's office patiently for his meeting with Brother Osberic to end. Sister Naomi brought him a cup of the same tea she had served the other two, but he declined, having a lot on his mind at the moment.

Once they were finished, Vincent showed himself in, his face looking a little worn and tired. he didn't bother to sit down, hoping to keep this brief and to the point.

Brother Zed looked up at him, setting his tea down for a moment. "Ah, Brother Vincent. What brings you here today?"

Vincent sighed, then took a deep breath. "I've just come today to inform you about some changes in my scheduled activities. Since I lost the mantle of Archmage, it's become somewhat more difficult to run the six bodies that I am without it taking a toll on me. I need to consolidate a little bit and try to regain some strength for the challenge on Sunday. Should I win, the extra boost to my power will help me get back to the way I was before."

Brother Zed nodded. "If you feel this is what you need to do in order to serve the White Lady."

Vincent nodded. "Thank you sir. With that being said, I'll be rechecking the wards I placed here, then going over and finishing my project my project at the hospice. I'll keep only two duplicates for...errands and such. And because I won't be working on it, this is for your perusal." he laid a large black book on the desk, having no markings on the cover and pages upon pages of mathmatical scribble.

Brother Zed picked it up and leafed through the pages, slightly intrigued. "May I ask just what this is?"

Vincent finally offered a smile, although it had a tinge of deviousness in it. "Let's just say I wrote the book on magic."

[Liianice]

Walking through the city streets, trying to learn my way around, I found this glorious Temple.

What splendor!

The only curious thing is that no one can tell me to which deity this Temple serves, and I've never heard of anyone called The White Lady.

There is a fair amount of traffic in and out though. Perhaps someone inside can tell me more?

[Dimitri]

He walked toward the doors of the Hospice the full moon giving him enough light to see. He looked at the doors his gold eyes glittering slightly. Dimitri just stood there looking at the temple doors. He looks at the building over and over again. Dimitri felt a urge to enter but quelled it and walked down the street ignoring everyone that looked at him.

[Vinny]

The past few weeks had been quiet, on purpose as far as Vinny was concerned. After he was done with his little project at the hospice, which may have gained the temple another convert, he had quietly been working at the temple in his quarters. He had already presented his research to Brother Zed, and had no intention of doing more research unless asked. While it was interesting, there were bigger and more important things he could do.

With fewer of him walking around, he was finding it easier to focus on things at hand, like helping out the Phoenix Guard with their training. His hand to hand combat skills were better than most there, and it was important that he pass these skills off to them, since it would give them something to fall back on should they lose thier sword in a fight. He was also finding it possible to imbue their armor with some simple wards to help strengthen them and make them more durable.

One thing he had been noticing since he decided to keep a low profile was that quite a few people had seemed to forget that he was a part of the Temple. Sure, he had not made a large public display like in the old days, and had publically reverted to most of his previous behaviors, but no one had so much as said a word. It worried him a bit. Like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop, or that they thought he was up to something. Well, that part was true, but they'd never know what until it was too late anyways.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri walked through the streets stopping at random shops looking through the window and then moving on. People looked at him strangly because this elf walked around the town heavily armed a bow slung over his shoulder and his Nodachi blade over the other. His quiver was attached to his belt. Dimitri wore the armor of Azilla the symbol of a person made up of earth, Water, Wind, and Fire on a blue background was on his chest.

As he passed the Temple of Divine light he stared at it Alia anor said that there was a room open for him. He started to walk closer to it but stopped just before going inside. He then turned around and walked again through the town looking at all the different people and little shops. He thought of different things. But something seemed very different since he got back. Something was wrong, he could feel it.

He continued to walk and again ended up infront of the Temple but this time he walked inside to move into the temple as his new home in Rhy din

[ErasmusMortem]

Erasmus had been strolling through the city all day. Keeping a leisurely pace so he could better affiliate himself with the place. He stopped in front of the Temple of Divine Light and decided to slip in.

As he passed through the doors, Erasmus couldn't help but look around in amazement. He had spent most of his life in a humble monastary, but this place was not humble. It was magnificent. Setting his sword near the door, trying his best to be respectful, he made his way further into the Temple. His eyes darted here and there, taking it all in. He just meandered through the halls, not even looking where he was going. Which is probably why he almost ran into an acolyte or possibly a cleric. He couldn't tell which.

"Good day to you, sir. May the gods favor you." He spoke to the man before moving on.There was no reply.

He could hear shuffling feet following him a good ten paces back.



((I would be very appreciative with any interaction... My character is fairly new and I am still trying to ease him into the social structure. Thanks))

[Alia Anor Graham]

The stranger seemed lost in the halls of the Temple.

People moved to and fro around him before one initiate paused.

"You seem a bit lost, can I help you?"