Post by Archivist~Bel on Mar 2, 2006 11:14:24 GMT -5
Bishop Therian Syrul's Treatise
Author: Larthorn
Link: forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-realm-scarletcrusade&t=163092&p=1&tmp=1#post163092
Bishop Therian Syrul's Treatise on the Possession of Nystral's Church
In the Year of the Light -982
Let me begin by providing you an adequate setting for this telling of the events that took place in those fateful months in the church of light run by Arch Bishop Nystral. The church itself rests in the silver pine forest not far from the city of Brill, near Lordamere lake. It had been a place of devote worship for near a century before the events of which I am about to relate occurred. It is important to note that this church was not only a church of light but it also was a base of main operations for the members of the Society of Daedalus in the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms.
Word had reached the council of Daedalus as to mysterious goings on within the halls of Nystral's Church, but the council was either unable or unwilling to investigate the happenings until contact was lost three seasons after the reports started filtering in. Realizing then, there was cause to be alarmed they dispatched a total of two runners, both battle brothers of the order and quite capable men. Neither returned. Fearing a grander conspiracy, they entrusted me with a handful of men to take to the church and investigate the goings on. They warned me of possible Icarian motivations which I tried repeatedly to debunk stating that in my time with the Brotherhood we had not conducted such operations and it was unlikely to be of their doing. They advised me all the same and gave to me certain scrolls of protection and anti venom's should we encounter the Brotherhood or their taint.
Riding with me were the priests Nathaniel and Grimore, and four battle brothers Julian, Sameel, Windsor and Teral. Nathaniel was a high priest and was responsible for the health and welfare of all on the expedition, Grimore was his apprentice. Julian was the eldest Battle Brother and would handle any military engagements we would encounter, Sameel was his second. Windsor and Teral would cut their teeth on this expedition having only recently earned the rank of Battle Brother. We left early in the morn setting forth from the halls of Invictus.
During the trip we encounter little worthy of noting in this report, other than the fact that the closer we neared the church the more ominous our surroundings appeared to become. It was nothing physical mind you, just a feeling we all shared. Thinking back now, a few hours from the church itself we heard no sound of any animals or creatures.
We reached the church around mid-day on the tenth day of our journey. It looked as one might expect the church to look, the high Gothic walls and buttresses standing tall and proud in the shade of the forest. The acolytes and scribes of the church were about, tending to their chores, they didn't appear to notice us at all. They moved about their activities as if almost in a trance. Standing upon the step leading to the entrance though stood whom I could only assume to be Nystral, a man of a very heavy set in the finery of an Arch Bishop. No emotion was displayed across his face, the only sign of apparent life was that of his Ivory robes billowing in the light mid-day breeze. Nathaniel and myself dismounted and approached the step.
Nystral's way of greeting was rather odd, and it set our inner voices a stir. "We have been expecting you Therian, it is a pleasure to see you." Still no emotion played across his face and his voice was monotone. By all accounts Nystral was a jovial man.
"Nystral I presume?" I stated. and in response he gave an almost imperceptible nod. "The council has dispatched us to ask why you have not contacted us in over three seasons, and to investigate the disappearance of two or our Battle Brothers." I glanced around and noticed that all the Acolytes and scribes had ceased their tasks and were just staring at our collective group.
Something strange passed over Nystral's face and in an instant it was filled with character and life. "Ah yes. Do come do come. Let me show you to some quarters and then we shall dine. I'm sure the road has been quite hard on you. Winter veil is not far off and the cold seems especially frigid this season."
I turned to Julian and Sameel and told them to tend the horses, and whispered to them to stay outside for a while and just observe. With that done Nathaniel, Grimore and I followed Nystral into the church. Inside everything was as it should be, except for that feeling of dread, again shared by the three of us inside. It hovered over our heads like a brooding presence watching our every move.
"Your men out side need not stay in the cold, we have plenty of space with in the church." he rambled, as we walked to a side corridor off the main assembly room which must have been the clergy quarters.
"I believe Julian prefers the cold, he is an odd one. Thinks it keeps his instincts sharp." I didn't believe it prudent to have all our number in one place, something left a sick feeling in my stomach about this place.
Or quarters secured, Nystral led us to the dinning hall. A few monks in their thick wintry robes were gathered around eating but nothing seemed overly out of the ordinary. "Nystral?" I started. "Do you know what happened to the Brothers I spoke of earlier. It has been some time since we have heard of them and some fear for their safety."
I could have sworn a small predatory smile played across his lips for a moment. "We received them. We gave writ word to the both of them about our conditions here and returned them to the Halls. It is most troubling to find out that they never returned."
"So it is." I said, not entirely convinced of his answer. "Well then, why have you not sent runners of your own or pigeon to remain in contact with the halls."
"Oh come. It is most cold and we have had no luck with the carrier pigeons for they wish to fly south once released. Your tone is one of a rather suspicious note. Tell me what does the council suspect is going on here?" A glint of laughter shown in his eye.
"They suspect nothing, we just feared for the safety of our brothers."
Nystral rose suddenly and said "Come Therian, there is much I would show you. Nathaniel and Grimore may eat their fill and help set the altar for this evenings mass if they so choose. I stood and followed the bishop back into the corridor filled with quarters and we traveled its length until we came to the end, at what had to be his room. He opened the door and it wined the way old wood is bound to do, but it set the hairs on the back of my neck on end.
Inside the room was filled with all manner of tomes splayed across the room in no discernible order. A stand near the window though caught my eye. It held a book I should have recognized right away, but was just a curiosity at first glance. Nystral moved very quickly to it and closed the old worn tome, then sat with a huff behind his desk.
"You are the bishop Therian formally of the Brotherhood are you not?"
"I am." I did not like where this line of questioning was going, but i still did not sense and Icarian plot.
"Tell me Therian, why was it you turned from the Brotherhood?" He did not make eye contact with me during the line of questions, instead he stared off into nothingness, his mind seemingly occupied.
"I don't see what relevance this has but, you can say I realized the error of my ways."
"I must say, I am surprised you survived. Xenagravious was a most powerful demon. Had not Xavier vanquished him when he did all your number might have been fed to the demon to quench his thirst."
"Then it is good Xavier was victorious when he was." At that his eyes met mine.
"Victorious? I hardly think so. Xavier was slain and Xenagravious was just exiled back to the plane from whence he came. Surely you don't think that a mere mortal could so easily defeat a dread lord of his power?"
"Be that as it may, he does not hound this plane any further." I was beginning to feel my stomach turn.
"Tell me Therian, do you know where the council keeps the book of exorcism used to banish Xanegrevius?"
I remained silent for a long time, nothing but the sound of my breathing filling the air, and i realized then that it was only my breathing filling the air. Fear wrenched up my face. Nystral stood and held a hand out right palm facing me. I began to rise out of my chair as his arm rose higher. "Tell me where the book is Therian."
I had to keep my wits about me. "I am an exile from the Brotherhood of Icarus, would they allow such knowledge to be in my hands......Xanegrevius?" at that Nystral let out an unholy belt of laughter, in a pitch and tone not possible by a human.
"I can see how you did not recognize me Therian, my servant. This body is disgusting but it has served me well. You served me once and you will serve me again. I will feed upon your soul when I am ready to release you of your duties to me not before. You escaped me once, and for that you shall be punished. You will not, however, do so again."
I was powerless to do anything, I was suspended above my seat by at least three lengths. I heard what must have been the screams of Nathaniel from down the hall as the other possessed minions of Xenagravious dispatched them. At that moment I knew fear as I had on the battlefields of the steppes. Nystral walked from behind his desk and took my throat as I sat suspended in air, then my weight returned but my feet still hung above the ground. Darkness came to me.....
Author: Larthorn
Link: forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-realm-scarletcrusade&t=163092&p=1&tmp=1#post163092
Bishop Therian Syrul's Treatise on the Possession of Nystral's Church
In the Year of the Light -982
Let me begin by providing you an adequate setting for this telling of the events that took place in those fateful months in the church of light run by Arch Bishop Nystral. The church itself rests in the silver pine forest not far from the city of Brill, near Lordamere lake. It had been a place of devote worship for near a century before the events of which I am about to relate occurred. It is important to note that this church was not only a church of light but it also was a base of main operations for the members of the Society of Daedalus in the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms.
Word had reached the council of Daedalus as to mysterious goings on within the halls of Nystral's Church, but the council was either unable or unwilling to investigate the happenings until contact was lost three seasons after the reports started filtering in. Realizing then, there was cause to be alarmed they dispatched a total of two runners, both battle brothers of the order and quite capable men. Neither returned. Fearing a grander conspiracy, they entrusted me with a handful of men to take to the church and investigate the goings on. They warned me of possible Icarian motivations which I tried repeatedly to debunk stating that in my time with the Brotherhood we had not conducted such operations and it was unlikely to be of their doing. They advised me all the same and gave to me certain scrolls of protection and anti venom's should we encounter the Brotherhood or their taint.
Riding with me were the priests Nathaniel and Grimore, and four battle brothers Julian, Sameel, Windsor and Teral. Nathaniel was a high priest and was responsible for the health and welfare of all on the expedition, Grimore was his apprentice. Julian was the eldest Battle Brother and would handle any military engagements we would encounter, Sameel was his second. Windsor and Teral would cut their teeth on this expedition having only recently earned the rank of Battle Brother. We left early in the morn setting forth from the halls of Invictus.
During the trip we encounter little worthy of noting in this report, other than the fact that the closer we neared the church the more ominous our surroundings appeared to become. It was nothing physical mind you, just a feeling we all shared. Thinking back now, a few hours from the church itself we heard no sound of any animals or creatures.
We reached the church around mid-day on the tenth day of our journey. It looked as one might expect the church to look, the high Gothic walls and buttresses standing tall and proud in the shade of the forest. The acolytes and scribes of the church were about, tending to their chores, they didn't appear to notice us at all. They moved about their activities as if almost in a trance. Standing upon the step leading to the entrance though stood whom I could only assume to be Nystral, a man of a very heavy set in the finery of an Arch Bishop. No emotion was displayed across his face, the only sign of apparent life was that of his Ivory robes billowing in the light mid-day breeze. Nathaniel and myself dismounted and approached the step.
Nystral's way of greeting was rather odd, and it set our inner voices a stir. "We have been expecting you Therian, it is a pleasure to see you." Still no emotion played across his face and his voice was monotone. By all accounts Nystral was a jovial man.
"Nystral I presume?" I stated. and in response he gave an almost imperceptible nod. "The council has dispatched us to ask why you have not contacted us in over three seasons, and to investigate the disappearance of two or our Battle Brothers." I glanced around and noticed that all the Acolytes and scribes had ceased their tasks and were just staring at our collective group.
Something strange passed over Nystral's face and in an instant it was filled with character and life. "Ah yes. Do come do come. Let me show you to some quarters and then we shall dine. I'm sure the road has been quite hard on you. Winter veil is not far off and the cold seems especially frigid this season."
I turned to Julian and Sameel and told them to tend the horses, and whispered to them to stay outside for a while and just observe. With that done Nathaniel, Grimore and I followed Nystral into the church. Inside everything was as it should be, except for that feeling of dread, again shared by the three of us inside. It hovered over our heads like a brooding presence watching our every move.
"Your men out side need not stay in the cold, we have plenty of space with in the church." he rambled, as we walked to a side corridor off the main assembly room which must have been the clergy quarters.
"I believe Julian prefers the cold, he is an odd one. Thinks it keeps his instincts sharp." I didn't believe it prudent to have all our number in one place, something left a sick feeling in my stomach about this place.
Or quarters secured, Nystral led us to the dinning hall. A few monks in their thick wintry robes were gathered around eating but nothing seemed overly out of the ordinary. "Nystral?" I started. "Do you know what happened to the Brothers I spoke of earlier. It has been some time since we have heard of them and some fear for their safety."
I could have sworn a small predatory smile played across his lips for a moment. "We received them. We gave writ word to the both of them about our conditions here and returned them to the Halls. It is most troubling to find out that they never returned."
"So it is." I said, not entirely convinced of his answer. "Well then, why have you not sent runners of your own or pigeon to remain in contact with the halls."
"Oh come. It is most cold and we have had no luck with the carrier pigeons for they wish to fly south once released. Your tone is one of a rather suspicious note. Tell me what does the council suspect is going on here?" A glint of laughter shown in his eye.
"They suspect nothing, we just feared for the safety of our brothers."
Nystral rose suddenly and said "Come Therian, there is much I would show you. Nathaniel and Grimore may eat their fill and help set the altar for this evenings mass if they so choose. I stood and followed the bishop back into the corridor filled with quarters and we traveled its length until we came to the end, at what had to be his room. He opened the door and it wined the way old wood is bound to do, but it set the hairs on the back of my neck on end.
Inside the room was filled with all manner of tomes splayed across the room in no discernible order. A stand near the window though caught my eye. It held a book I should have recognized right away, but was just a curiosity at first glance. Nystral moved very quickly to it and closed the old worn tome, then sat with a huff behind his desk.
"You are the bishop Therian formally of the Brotherhood are you not?"
"I am." I did not like where this line of questioning was going, but i still did not sense and Icarian plot.
"Tell me Therian, why was it you turned from the Brotherhood?" He did not make eye contact with me during the line of questions, instead he stared off into nothingness, his mind seemingly occupied.
"I don't see what relevance this has but, you can say I realized the error of my ways."
"I must say, I am surprised you survived. Xenagravious was a most powerful demon. Had not Xavier vanquished him when he did all your number might have been fed to the demon to quench his thirst."
"Then it is good Xavier was victorious when he was." At that his eyes met mine.
"Victorious? I hardly think so. Xavier was slain and Xenagravious was just exiled back to the plane from whence he came. Surely you don't think that a mere mortal could so easily defeat a dread lord of his power?"
"Be that as it may, he does not hound this plane any further." I was beginning to feel my stomach turn.
"Tell me Therian, do you know where the council keeps the book of exorcism used to banish Xanegrevius?"
I remained silent for a long time, nothing but the sound of my breathing filling the air, and i realized then that it was only my breathing filling the air. Fear wrenched up my face. Nystral stood and held a hand out right palm facing me. I began to rise out of my chair as his arm rose higher. "Tell me where the book is Therian."
I had to keep my wits about me. "I am an exile from the Brotherhood of Icarus, would they allow such knowledge to be in my hands......Xanegrevius?" at that Nystral let out an unholy belt of laughter, in a pitch and tone not possible by a human.
"I can see how you did not recognize me Therian, my servant. This body is disgusting but it has served me well. You served me once and you will serve me again. I will feed upon your soul when I am ready to release you of your duties to me not before. You escaped me once, and for that you shall be punished. You will not, however, do so again."
I was powerless to do anything, I was suspended above my seat by at least three lengths. I heard what must have been the screams of Nathaniel from down the hall as the other possessed minions of Xenagravious dispatched them. At that moment I knew fear as I had on the battlefields of the steppes. Nystral walked from behind his desk and took my throat as I sat suspended in air, then my weight returned but my feet still hung above the ground. Darkness came to me.....