Nefis/Logs/20190524 Jeihrem Audience

>go door
As you head to the door to the throne room, a hooded figure in black melts out of the shadows and whispers to you, "Mind your manners in there. Lord Jeihrem does not like being asked too many questions, and he does not like those that linger overly long." The figure melts back into the shadows again without a trace after delivering his message.

[Jeihrem's Throne]
Rising at the end of this long arched hallway is a dais, set with a throne made from pure obsidian and carved at sharp angles. A huge circular window stained in murky tinges of purple and black rises behind the dais, allowing filtered daylight light to stream in from outside and shroud the throne in strange and eerie patterns. Black iron-clad figures armed with halberds stand at attention on each side of the hall, silently guarding their master with the unmoving stillness that death brings. You also see the Lich Jeihrem and an ornate arched door.
Also here: Unbroken Xzean.
Obvious exits: none.

Xzean kneels down.

You kneel down upon the ground before the Lich Jeihrem.

Tallnah Nahvani came through an ornate arched door.

Nahvani kneels down before the Lich Jeihrem.

Jeihrem says, "Supplicants."

Jeihrem says, "Are you here to just kneel in my presence or do you have something to say?"

Nahvani stands up.

Jeihrem glowers at Nahvani and says, "If you wish to speak to me, kneel. Do so, or leave."

Nahvani kneels down before the Lich Jeihrem.

Jeihrem says, "Speak now."

Xzean says, "Master. We wish to speak with you about our recent efforts."

Nahvani says, "Thank you, Master. We come seeking your counsel and guidance."

Jeihrem says, "Speak of substance, then."

Xzean says, "You may have felt something, many of us dying perhaps. We attempted to invoke a demonic name to blight several Immortal altars."

Xzean says, "All we seemed to acomplish was petty divine wroth."

Jeihrem says, "Why do you think your deaths would find my notice?"

Xzean ponders.

Xzean says, "I had thought you might feel death, as another sense, perhaps."

You gaze down at the floor.

Nahvani says, "We attempted to break the binding upon Antrayelsis. We believed that by defiling their altars with our own mana that we could, at the very least, commune with Antrayelsis."

Jeihrem says, "Death is constant, and I feel it always. A single death or even a mlutitude is inconsequential."

(Nahvani kneels her forehead upon the floor in supplication.)

Jeihrem says, "That would be, at best, doubtful."

K>l jeihrem
Towering taller than the tallest Gor'Tog, the Lich Jeihrem is so twisted that it's difficult to tell what race he originally was. His leathery skin is pale and aged to a nearly grey color, while streams of dark hair hang in limp, ragged tangles down his back. His desiccated lips are drawn back and stretched grotesquely, exposing a gaping maw full of sharp teeth dripping with black ichor. His eyes are the only feature of him that still appear living, and they look down on you in utter contempt.
Jeihrem stands clad in full-plate armor of dark steel, which is cast in macabre images. Skulls are deeply etched into the metal at each joint. A long and ragged floor-length cloak covers his armor, and a wicked-looking greatsword hangs from his waist, its hilt covered in black spines.

Ichor drips from Jeihrem's mouth like foul streamers.

Nahvani exclaims, "We seek guidance then, how may we further serve Them, and You? We wish the Immortals' grip upon Them weakened and for our own strength to grow!"

Xzean asks, "This seemed to be an activity that the Defiler wishes to do, to defile holy places. How would we call upon it to do so? Can we even do so in our mortal state?"

Jeihrem says, "Your mind is limited if that is what you think defiling is."

Jeihrem says, "Antrayelsis is more than petty destruction or even defacement."

Nahvani says, "Our understanding may be limited, but our ambition and devotion is not."

You say, "Then, please teach us, Lord. We are eager servants. There are others who will gladly follow. Any many more who can be manipulated."

You gaze down at the floor.

(Xzean nods eagerly, his eyes gleaming in lust for power.)

Jeihrem says, "Grow the blight. Why attempt to do minor damage to a place already full of divine influence when you can spread due profanity far and wide everywhere else?"

(Nahvani surreptitiously gathers some of the ooze onto her tongue, lapping some from the floor.)

Nahvani says, "We shall do so."

Nahvani shivers.

(Xzean cannot help but looks repulsed, if only for a brief flickering second.)

Jeihrem says, "You are worms in the face of the divine. They will crush you and you will have no impact but the stain you leave. If this amuses you, then continue, but if you wish to impact the sealing of Antrayelsis, you will need to set your sights higher in both practicality and scope."

Nahvani exclaims, "We shall do whatever is needful. We shall serve with our entire being!"

Xzean says, "Then we must become the blight that The Defiler would inflict upon the world."

Jeihrem says, "Then expect the long road. Spread the blight that is within you all."

Jeihrem says, "Oh. you already are the blight. You always were."

Xzean says, "Of course, Master."

Jeihrem says, "The ignored places are the easiest to truly defile. You can set your seeds deep there, but even then it takes time."

Jeihrem says, "Do you think I am on this island because I enjoy the view?"

Xzean says, "I imagine you cultivate every part of it as you obviously do the garden nearby."

Jeihrem says, "Perhaps you think I fear large populations?"

Nahvani asks, "Is there some ritual, or some other method, that will allow us to plant such a seed?"

Nahvani smirks.

Nahvani says, "You fear nothing, Master...You are what others fear."

Xzean nods in agreement.

Jeihrem says, "Then grow your blight just as I have. That is what will free Antrayelsis."

Xzean says, "I will think on some place to cultivate."

Jeihrem says, "Every ritual you perform, every spell you cast, every corpse you mutilate in his name, in my name, in your own name -- you grow the blight."

Xzean nods.

You cock your head.

Nahvani says, "We shall do as you command, and all those loyal to you shall do so as well."

Jeihrem says, "Spread it, concentrate it, cultivate it."

You zealously say, "I already have a place in mind. A place I have used before. It even has something to act as an altar."

Jeihrem says, "Revel in the glorious corruption you bring."

Xzean says, "So by perfecting our own skills we serve to weaken this prison."

Jeihrem says, "Of course."

Xzean says, "And yet there is...more."

Xzean waves his hand distractedly.

Jeihrem says, "Even Book's cretins weaken the seal as they 'learn' from him."

Nahvani nods.

Jeihrem says, "But those who know, who understand, they can apply this more fully."

Jeihrem says, "Purposefully."

Nahvani says, "They cannot but help serving those beings they profess to disdain. They are simpletons to not realize the truth."

Xzean asks, "And such principles can be used to empower?"

Jeihrem says, "Why would I tell you if they did not? Don't waste my time with foolish questions."

(Xzean bows his head.)

Jeihrem says, "Go to the places of Antrayelsis. The unseen places, the dark ones, the blighted ones."

Jeihrem says, "He does not reside there, but his touch is present yet."

Nahvani says, "We shall do so. We shall gather all those loyal to you, and we will bring such corruption to those places."

Jeihrem says, "Grow your blight. Call upon him in name and deed."

You zealously say, "As you command, Lord Jeihrem."

Xzean says, "As you will, Master."

Jeihrem says, "Good. Then leave and do so."

Xzean nods.

Xzean stands up.

Unbroken Xzean went through an ornate arched door.

Ichor drips from Jeihrem's mouth like foul streamers.

Nahvani exclaims, "We shall. Thank you, Master!"

Nahvani stands up.

Tallnah Nahvani went through an ornate arched door.

(Nefis backs away from Lord Jeihrem on his knees, until he is near the door.)

Jeihrem says, "Do not make me repeat myself."

You stand back up.

You bow.

>go door