Ascension Rite

*Cadence
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Cadence »






Everyone looks forward to a trip to Factol AmbarÂ’s escape: a study in perpendicular gothic executed in polished steel, rather than stone, on an island in the deep Ethereal. The complex possesses many high-ceilinged wings, and newcomers feel awed by its intricate vaulting and stained-glass windows. Gilt furniture, an eclectic mix of art, and vases overflowing with flowers appoint the rooms. Marble terraces, lily-ornamented reflecting pools, rose-grown arbors, and bowers of blossoms comprise the palace courtyards.

Ambar dwells in this miniature paradise with his factors and many factotums and namers who labor in the Great Foundry. High-ups hold conferences and issue orders to factotums here. One permanent portal in the metalworks of the Great Foundry connects to the workers' wing of Ambar's domain. Another, in the wire-works, lead the impressive front steps of his palace.

It is here where Maelfina found herself at her appointed time to arrive. She stood before one of many magnificent foyers, and before her stood the highest ranked Factor of the Believers of the Source - Ombidias. He had the size, large head, and prominent jaw of the voadkyn, but the disposition of a sage hornhead saurial. He weighed his words carefully, spoke slowly, and came to decisions only after long internal debate.

Her position as Factotum allowed Maelfina some of the lesser-known chant about the high-ups like Ombidias. She knew that the tribe he once served as shaman on the obscure prime world of Glemayne ceased to exist more than 50 years ago, when the world was overrun by hellcats and hordelings at the behest of a Baatezu lord. Ombidias found himself taken prisoner and locked away in the iron city of Dis. He survived unspeakable tortures but escaped, convinced that his clan needed him now more than ever. In fact, all had died. Ombidias wished he had gone with them. He thought of returning to Baator to put as many of his jailers into the dead-book as be could before they wrote him his own page. However, his giving voadkyn nature and his shamanÂ’s instincts would not allow it. Instead, be decided to dedicate the rest of his life to serving the downtrodden, the undervalued of the multiverse. He left the ruins of Glemayne forever, ensconcing himself in Sigil (through which he had passed during his escape) and joining the Believers of the Source. His work with the memories of his tribe has meshed well with the aims of the faction. Many Godsmen expect him to become the next factol, after Ambar evolves into a power.

He was known widely as the friendly overseer of the Great Foundry. Despite being a highly ranked factor, Ombidias always had time to spare for those namers looking for additional guidance in their struggles. He used his magic to help ease the pain of those working in the hellish environment of the Foundry floor. Embodying the Godsman ideal, he treated everyone he met with the respect one would treat someone who may be a Power someday.

The 9-foot wood giant had a somber face and skin so dark brown, it looked black. Draped in the deep green and black robes he preferred, Ombidias cut an imposing figure, but in conversation he seems more approachable. His warm manner and compassion endeared him to all, and Maelfina could feel a genuine warmth as he addressed her.



"Maelfina! A true pleasure to see you once again, particularly considering the circumstances. Ambar is out and about in some kind of executive interfactional meeting, though he rightly requested that I speak to you today, especially considering I see you in and out and around the Foundry often. How are you feeling today?"
*Xndar
Posts: 282
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Xndar »


The expression on Maelfina's lips when she sees Ombidias is less her usual smirk or cocky grin and more a genuine smile. Ombidias was not just another distant factor to her, but the one who brought her into the Godsmen fold to begin with, and mentored her through her first tentative steps along the path toward divinity ((via DM Deekin)). Out of all the bodies in the Cage, Ombidias was probably one of the few that she actually came close to admiring.

"'S good ta see ye too Ombidias. 'm feelin well 'nuff, considerin tha' we be talkin 'bout huntin down a blood wha' coul' psionically wrestle wit Ilsensine's fines'." She gives a faint chuckle. "'ow ''bout ye?"
*Cadence
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Cadence »


Ombidias continued to talk to Maelfina for a short while, updating her on how things have been going with him, cracking a few jokes and loosening out the occasional belly laugh. Maelfina could tell that he was trying to calm her nerves just in case she was nervous. The small talk never felt forced with him.

Afterwards, he informed Maelfina that the Factol requested that she be tested. He didn't go into further detail about this but the implications were clear.

Slowly removing an amulet from his belt-pouch, he held it out in his large hand revealing silver-interlocking chains and a green stone in the center, not unlike the gemstone Maelfina noticed that Housemaster Bereth wore (notably, Bereth's amulet was held together with hemp and leather, not interlocking metal links).


"Here's a necklace I need you to wear before we begin. It's something special made in the Foundry - allows our minds to be connected."

Ombidias gently moved the collar of his robes away to reveal that he wore an almost identical amulet (albeit his had longer metal links to fit around his thicker neck).

"Once you don it, just take a seat there, clasp the stone, and allow my intrusion into your mind."

He motioned over to a fancy-appearing sofa with a spherical orb of obsidian casually placed on the cushions. The tiefling suspected it was a sensory stone.
*Xndar
Posts: 282
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Xndar »


Mael seems to enjoy the moment of friendly banter before they get down to business, knowing that what lies ahead will likely be challenging even for her. When the specific nature of the test is unveiled she would sigh. She likely expected that it would involve psionics or something related, given Kathryn's gifts, but she seems less than inclined to believe that someone rooting around in her mind is a terribly good idea.

"Ehh, well if yer sure ye wanna be peekin 'round in there yer welcome ta it."

She loops the amulet around her neck and plops down on the sofa, reclining in a relaxed manner as she closes her eyes and opens her mind to Ombidias' inquest.

As Ombidias delves into the surface layers of her thoughts, he can feel her anxiety. Not at his intrusion in and of itself, but rather her anxiety on his behalf; it is clear that she doesn't anticipate that he will find the sojourn particularly pleasant.

Nor is it likely that he does when he descends deeper than the surface.

Ombidias finds his mental projection standing at the base of an immense tree, whose limbs take the form of giant, deadly vipers. The viper-branches themselves seem more sharply in focus than his surroundings or the trunk of the tree itself, save a hollow at its base. Once he pushes his mental view beyond this scene, he is able to better grasp the overall reality of this mindscape.

Various objects and creatures float past on unfathomable winds, likely all significant in her mind or memories. A hairless cat, a tall black-skinned man flailing as flames consume him, a rock here and there, an ebon-skinned female tiefling in various states of either undress or dismemberment. Ombidias has to duck, or else will himself to disbelieve, as a pack of flaying tools and blades fly past, dragging behind a Maelfina that seems very much inside-out. In the distance, a sort of city looms, displaying architecture insane enough to make the Harbinger House look like the work of Modrons, all perched on a twitching collection of legs, arms and fangs.

At length, a group of figures leaves the city and flies toward him at speeds that would be difficult to process even if he were not surrounded by such a distracting environment. As the three women surround him, he notes that they all resemble Maelfina almost exactly, with one or two small details out of place. All are armed, some are armored, and all possess more formal and rigid body language than the corporeal Maelfina generally displays.

"Well now, we didn't have much notice to prepare a welcome party, so I hope we will do as your guides," A three-eyed Maelfina says in a carrying whisper oddly devoid of her usual accent. "Anywhere in particular you want to go?"
*Cadence
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Cadence »


The giant looked uncharacteristically discombobulated as his head swiveled to and fro, taking in the bizarre landscape. As the blades came hurtling towards him, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, willing himself to remain unharmed, and this "test" of sorts seemed to galvanize him back into a more focused, controlled state.

His head swivels uncertainly from each representation of Maelfina to the other, finally deciding on one that he chooses to address.


"The stone will take us there." His voice emerges far louder than one would expect, reverberating across the landscape.

Within seconds the city fades off into the distance. The various aspects of Maelfina fade as well. Shortly thereafter, Ombidias himself fades away. Other things fade into existence, however.

Maelfina sits at a round table with five others. It is a soiree, and judging by the decor it's a very, very expensive one. The china has an exquisite amount of detail in fine golden streaks and the silverware seems to have the characteristics of platinum- likely to not offend the various fiends in attendance. There are two other tieflings at her table, a male and a pale-skinned female. The female is adjacent to with a silver-bearded human in exquisite, exotic clothing made of silk and embroidered gold which betrays him as someone of extreme wealth. Also in the circle is a very large seat for the very large being at the table- a blue-skinned, bearded ogre-mage.

As Maelfina's gaze goes around, she notices that the table is surrounded by helmeted, armored guards- no less than 15. Their dark armor bears no insignia but the styles on the armor and the way these bashers carry themselves, Maelfina guesses that they're Mercykillers.

Abovehead, the ring of Sigil twinkles with the lights from buildings in the opposite side of the city twinkling brightly like distant stars in flux. A cool breeze passes through, adding to an ironically uneasy calm in the atmosphere. Despite the vivid imagery, there is a disconnect and Maelfina almost feels like she's observing gazelle on the prairie, idly enjoying its graze while blissfully unaware of the jaguar three steps away about to strike a killing blow.

Ogre-Mage squints slightly and leans in towards Maelfina in a curious manner.



"Ambar, you look a bit confused... what's the matter?"
*Xndar
Posts: 282
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Xndar »


Maelfina, her mind relatively flexible, takes half an instant before she would attempt to react or respond in a reasonable manner; unsure of whether or not she is simply observing a memory or if, for some unfathomable reason, she is in control. If she is just watching, she uses her time to absorb every detail of her surroundings and the players at the table. If she can exercise some control, she does the same while giving a faint smile and a dismissive wave of the hand, as though to say 'it is nothing'.
*Cadence
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Cadence »


A figure approaches the table - a human female. Her motions confident, her walk slow, the guards in spiked armor part in deference to her approach. She sports lustrous dark hair, dark lipstick, and pale skin. The exquisitely-dressed human man stands up to attention and greets her warmly, which seems to elicit the briefest expressions of annoyance on the tiefling female's face that Maelfina doesn't miss. There are quiet introductions, and the silver human male notes that he's looking forward to conducting business with her.

The Ogre-mage is convinced by Maelfina's dismissal and glances up towards the newcomer with intent interest. Soon, the gathering begins to lightly banter, with the silver human playfully teasing the Ogre-Mage about the "dreadfully" sized dinnerware. Midway through the conversation, Maelfina notices that the the female tiefling and the human female start behaving strangely. Their body language abruptly stiffens and finally, the tiefling woman snaps her neck up towards the sky.

The next set of events happen rather rapidly. A loud crack is heard as one of the armored figures jumps directly over the female tiefling. The moment the guard is directly above her, his body seems to come alive with lightning, promptly collapsing to the ground in a charred heap. The female tiefling flits out of the way, and there is an awkward delay as everyone's mind processes what happens. Maelfina notes that the human female begins to cast, and the Ogre-Mage follows suit. Meanwhile the female tiefling has crouched out of the way, and now has a longsword drawn and raised. She is screaming curses and her eyes bear a fanatical rage as she stares up towards the sky - towards something that Maelfina cannot see in this memory. The sounds of her screams are subdued.. in fact, everything is muffled and slightly blurry as if Mael was underwater.

Muffled sounds of panic erupt across the soiree in the adjacent tables, though Maelfina cannot really get a good view due to hers being surrounded by armored figures. A hooded figure lands abruptly atop the table, directly in front of Maelfina. She cannot make out the face, but the body is female. Spells are hurled towards the figure from either side of her: courtesy of the Ogre Mage as well as the human female who last arrived at the table, though the spells seem to be absorbed into the hooded figure's clothing.

Maelfina is helpless as she watches, being a mere spectator up to this point- witnessing someone else's memory.

The figure atop the table focuses her hands towards Maelfina, and silvery-blue streaks of light emerge therefrom. They would have surely struck Maelfina were it not for the female tiefling and several of the armored figures simultaneously jumping towards the figure, pushing her just enough such that she didn't strike true.

This is most vivid portion of the memory, and the experience whizzes by as the hooded figure manages to evade the enraged tiefling female and the amored figures. There is a chase, though Maelfina doesn't herself chase and is instead escorted away by a cadre of Harmonium officers.

A short time later, the memory becomes vivid again as Maelfina finds herself running towards a group of armored figures. There are fewer this time and they are huddled around an unconscious, badly wounded individual who lies underneath a metallic mesh net. Her clothing is the same as that of the hooded individual who landed atop the table, but her hood has been removed and the face is that of...Vuna?



"SCRIBE the bitch!"


One of the armored guards roars in an indignant manner. They all pause, however, as the running Maelfina arrives at the scene. Now, the muffled sounds clear, and the foggy blur of the background aren't so foggy. Everything is crisp and Maelfina feels less like a spectator. She has the attention of the armored figures.

Kill or not kill. The choice is simple. The blue-tiefling is wise enough to figure that there isn't a correct answer, only correct reasons to arrive at whatever decision she chooses.
*Xndar
Posts: 282
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Xndar »


Maelfina shakes her head and raises an open hand to stay those of the armored guards around her.

"No. Kill her, and she may find oblivion in whatever afterlife is appointed to her, or she may grow and flourish there, and in time become a far greater danger to countless other lives than even a Signer could imagine. There is also the chance that her divine spark might simply travel on to its next life, to wreak havoc down the line in ways we cannot anticipate."

She squints down at Vuna's features quietly for a moment before adding:

"Besides, I want to know the who, why, and how of this situation properly, and there are some questions that a dead woman simply can't answer. Bring her to the Harbinger House. If I deem her unable to serve any semi-reasonable purpose, I will make all necessary arrangements with your faction to have her soul imprisoned or otherwise sent directly to the Source."
*Cadence
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Cadence »


The armored guard who suggested she die speaks again, and this time it's in measured tones as if Ombidias himself was the one formulating the challenge.

"You have a being of power here, indeed one who is closer to ascension than many. Even holding her for questioning holds a risk. She may kill potentials. This is a more predictable risk than what risk she may pose in her afterlife. If this was Kathryn, the risk is still greater. Are you willing to take the chance and question her no matter what? If not, where do you draw the line?"
*Cadence
Posts: 301
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am

Posted by *Cadence »


The armored figures dissolved away, so did Vuna. A brief tingle down her spine emerged as she felt herself falling. Within seconds she was in a dome-shaped chamber. Actually, it was less a chamber and more an auditorium. It was somewhat reminiscent of a very clean and very empty Mortuary - at least from the inside. The area was completely devoid of light save a bright one in the center of the room. It illuminated a large, circular green gem that floated in mid air, above a porcelain pedestal, rotating gently. This time, she heard Ombidias's impossibly loud voice in her head:

"This is an item of great power. You are to give it to a group of your choice. The options you have available are: the Archons, the Guardinals, the Eladrin, Regulus, the Rilmani, the Clergy of Ssendam, Baator, Khin-Oin, or the Temple of the Abyss. Which group do you choose and why?"
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