The sound of heeled boots on stone echoed through the Twilight temple as a lone figure approached the altar. White hair and white cloak flowed in the quick pace of her movement, numerous light sources glimmered off her immaculate silver plate. Dark was her skin, her mood far darker still.
Elena bowed her head slightly in greeting to the priest, polite despite the cold fury burning in her eyes. Once she had his attention in full, she spoke.
"I am here to bring you warning of a powerful devil released upon the world. Though I failed to halt the summoning ritual in time, I shall give an account of what transpired, so that appropriate measures can be taken."
She went on to describe how an unhinged gnome "prophet" was forcefully ejected from Solinar, to prevent him from spreading panic with his hazy prophecies, how the gnome met his end at the hands of an orcish raiding party, and how a small group of people set out to discover the truth of the prophet's ravings.
"Following the halflings' reports of ghostly activity, we made our way to an abandoned graveyard within the forest. A strong sense of evil radiated from amidst the ruins. The shadowy Tammy bade me remain behind, lest whatever awaits be alerted by the sounds of my movement. I deferred to her judgement and experience, which soon proved to be a grievous error on my part."
The paladin's steel-clad fists clenched as she continued her tale.
"While we hid and skulked about, a vile palemaster murdered one girl after another in a gruesome ritual. One of the stealthier group members witnessed such an act, and to his credit, charged... only to run screaming into the night a moment later. Tammy then returned to us, suffering in the grip of some dark magic. It became abundantly clear that the time for stealth was over, and I cast a blessing upon my companions, which broke the spell on her."
"As we stepped forth, we found the villain huddled within a magical shield, likely of some hellish origin. Brian Sol and I attacked the barrier in hopes of breaking through to put a swift end to these heinous crimes. The shield gave way slowly, and we could do naught but watch as the necromancer butchered the last of his victims."
Speaking these words, the dusky woman's voice nearly choked with barely contained emotion. She took a deep breath to compose herself, and maintained her usual expression of calm neutrality. Only the blue pyres of anger in her eyes hinted at the storm raging within.
"The palemaster succeeded, and a devil in the form of a lustful wench appeared. It brings me little satisfaction to tell you that the summoner perished by the devil's hand. Soon I learned that at least Tammy was familliar with this creature, and that she rules over a layer of Hell. She seemed more interested in amusing herself with whatever this world has to offer than simply bringing about ruin. Nevertheless, an archdevil has been unleashed into the world."
Once she had answered whatever questions the Protector might have, the paladin visited the Cathedral to warn Andrew Domian, and finally Thorlian of the White Order.
|