Open [QUEST] Be Careful What You Wish For

[Kuvarakh]

timestamp - FALL 83, 512 At the Sealed Grounds of Alvadas, djed gathers in curious mists. With the coming of the mist comes an awareness. With that awareness comes purpose. With that purpose comes recognition of obstacles. Obstacles that would effect change where none can be tolerated. The awareness is sentient only in its intent to its purpose. A purpose in constant peril from the living. Ever the living seek change. They must be removed. The awareness knows not the origin of its inception. Cares not. Seeks no answer to its sudden appearance. It simply is. As is its purpose. To guard, to maintain, to drive away that which invades its setting, its area. That which seeks to bring change. Aligned, in part, to this purpose, are the spirits of the dead. They that rejected transcendence to remain unchanged. Their alignment is not perfect to the purpose of the awareness, but they are sufficient to the task of advancing it. Many have drives to be free, to move about and resolve that which is not finished. Many of these unresolved intentions are fueled by anger. Anger at the living. This suits the purpose of the awareness. It senses that if they resolve their issues, they will depart and the area will remain pristine for their absence. What holds these dissatisfied aims incomplete? There is power, power on the ground, IN the ground. Power recently renewed, imbued in symbols, symbols in patterns on the ground. They must be removed. Then the spirits can be allowed forth to drive away the bearers of the unbearable ambition to bring change. Then there can be unchanging continuity. Cause, and effect. Roots from nearby growth slipping in and around the items bearing the symbols, slow, inexorable grinding, shattering. Creatures sneaking and slithering in scraping, clawing, defacing the symbols. Many of these ‘servants’ suffering backlashes of improperly released power. These sacrifices going unrecognized in the purpose. Lightning striking the items, weakening the strength of their structure. Making them easier prey to the ravages of the purpose and its agents. Rain soaking the ground. Trees uprooting to fall upon the powered items. Scattering, shattering, disrupting, weakening….defeating. The spirits rejoice in their release. The purpose awaits the completion of its mission. A mission borne of unknown origin. In two taverns in Alvadas, citizens take uncertain refuge from the roaming ghosts outside. Not all of the ghosts are hostile, some are indifferent, a few are even friendly. But the city is on edge. Spiritists have never known such demand. People sharing drinks share their theories on what has brought this to pass. All recognize that the seals have failed. The question is why. In each tavern, parties are being formed by those few who DO know what has occurred to bring about these events. Naturally, they do not share this fact with anyone. What they do share is the knowledge of riches, of buried treasure. Treasure of unknown magnitude hidden within the Sealed Grounds. Theories and fantasies fuel the imagination, bringing the concept of the treasure to kingly proportions. And where the ghosts would have been sufficient obstacle yesterday, TODAY the ghosts have fled the Grounds, leaving the way clear to unearth the reward for those intrepid enough to brave what few perils remain. In one tavern, two men, claiming possession of a map, seek to recruit a few more members to enter the grounds. Not directly though. Their map shows that the party needs to begin their efforts at the fearsome Demarkus Manor. Surely, once passing this obstacle, the way will be clear of additional threats. Surely… OOC - This party links Here. In the other tavern a single man also seeks a few members to secure success. He does not claim ownership of the aforementioned map, but he has seen it and has a fair memory of it. His study of it shows the start of the map to be in calmer Renmark Manor, not Demarkus. Though he acknowledges his lack of a map in hand, he DOES boast of the grace of a singular protection from the spirits. He does not promise this will extend to other members of the party, but they will at least be relieved of providing HIS protection, for surely there will be no other threats beyond the ghosts. Surely… OOC - This party links Here.