Whiteburn/Logs/20211002 Basaltaltar

[Basalt Isle, Shattered Cavern]
Huge and nearly pitch black, the vast majority of this cavern is filled with treacherous and unpassable water, the echoes from the waves resonating through the oversized hollow.  A narrow basalt ledge allows just enough room to sit or stand comfortably.  The underside of hexagonal basalt columns poke randomly through the darkness that shrouds the high ceiling, giving a glimpse of the island's massive weight above.
You also see a black leopard that is sitting, a scruffy lynx, a smokey grey leopard with hypnotic crimson eyes and flecks of ashes on her fur, a black panther that is sitting, the cavern mouth and a basalt shrine carved into the shape of a turtle.
Also here: Sar, Grieven who is enwreathed in vaporous shadows, Blight Sealer Solitudines who is shrouded by swirling grey fog, Seneschal Rileos who is shining with a dark golden glow, Aes-Amachi Casari who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Bastion of Life Karthor who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Inspiration Iryta who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Shadow Huntress Jadannax who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Trailmaster Antharos who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Wizardess Etasia who has a stony visage, Fiery Doom Zalinyar who has a fiery visage, Hunter of the Hub Ajathaer who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Heiress Angel who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Storm Maiden Constantia who has a fiery visage, Woten who has a fiery visage, Lord Knight Tankata who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Lady of Elamiri Ayrell who has a stony visage, Mountain Lord Ezerak who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, High Priestess Khaelyn who is shrouded in ghostly flames, Archmage Xelten who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Elemental Lord Tirost who has a stony visage, Relic of the Grove Xixist who is surrounded by a shimmering shield and Mazrian who has a stony visage.
Obvious exits: none.
 
This large turtle was carved from a single slab of basalt, the shell serving as an altar.  The remnants of many sacrifices over the years, combined with untold years of submersion, have left anemones and coral polyps clinging to crevasses carved into the polished stone.  In the back of the turtle's shell, a large crescent moon sits engraved in recess, serving as a bowl in which sacrifices to Aluna could have been placed when this was actively used.  You believe you can STUDY the shrine to learn more.
There appears to be something written on it.
 
A basalt shrine reads:
"The seas are kept in her embrace, for she is the moonlight streaming through the kelp on the ocean floor, the silvery moon-kissed crests of waves in the dark.  Aluna is of the Merelew, and as we are of her, we must keep her faith, hold her in our hearts.  Only in faith can we be of the water, the wave returning to the sea that it may once again strike upon the shore.  If Merelew forget Aluna, the wave is lost."
 
You believe you could PRAY to the Immortals at this shrine or CLEAN it to assist in its consecration.  You observe that it is dedicated to Aluna, a Goddess of the Merelew -- as such, you are unsure if your prayers will be heard.  Still, there is no mistaking the unique Holiness of the shrine.
 
Xixist says, "Turtle worshippers, i knew it."
 
Zalinyar says, "THe shrine seems normal."
 
Rileos asks you, "Get your dancin started, darlin, I'm gonna get the mangos singin and I'll be right back, yeah?"
 
Ezerak says, "I think the shrine needs cleaning."
 
Tirost says to you, "I have faith in you. Don't let us down."
 
You say, "We must act swiftly. All Clerics, to me. Others, remain alert. Everyone is needed."
 
Angel asks you, "Mother Whiteburn, a quick prayer?"
 
You say, "Eluned. Lemicus. Drogor. This is Their domain. Ye children of the Immortals, stand and bear witness, for upon this day, the Reshal sea will rise to reclaim that which was stolen, and scour it of wicked impurity."
 
You get a wildly jagged shark's tooth from inside your pilgrim's satchel.
 
Iryta slowly empties her lungs.
 
(Whiteburn raises the shark tooth high in the air. Without hesitation, she brings it down in a powerful arc, cutting open her left hand so that the brine sharks tattooed upon her palm appear to be fixated upon the injury. Holding her hand outward, she allows her blood to spill upon the ground.)
 
You say, "The Holy Servant draws first blood to make manifest the Thirteen Terrors of Drogor."
 
Karturis suddenly bursts into a frothing avalanche of rage!
 
Iryta asks Karturis, "Are you going to protect the Priestess?"
 
Karturis asks, "I will do my best...  'may I follow you>?"
 
Iryta nods.
 
Karturis joins Iryta's group.
 
(Whiteburn intones the following in a steady drone as her blood continues to flow.)
 
Commodore Khoheke just arrived.
 
Khoheke bows to you.
 
You chant in a soprano voice:
 
    "Wrath. Bloodlust. Ferocity. Tenacity.
     Satiety. Hatred. Dread. Vehemence.
     Agony. Purity. Destruction. Vengeance. Domination.
     By the Terrors that become me, I call down the Storm of Drogor!
     Descendeth and devastate!"
 
Kolja slowly empties her lungs.
 
You hold a wildly jagged shark's tooth high into the air for all to see.
 
You chant in a soprano voice:
 
    "Almighty Drogor, Lord of the Abyssal Whorl!
     Ruler of Storms, Master of Oceanic Horrors, and drowner of heretics!
     With holy water, with blood, and with the rage of the frenzy, we cleanse and consecrate this land in Your name,
     That all might know Your power and be overawed!
     Mightier than any demon is Drogor!
     Let all defilers tremble and know their end is come!"
 
Khoheke reverently says, "Lemicus, protector of those lost at sea, whose grace is the only deliverance to those lost in these waters, that they may find peace outside of the service of the Lich.  Make us aware of your presence in this, our time of need, and help us face what is to come with neither shame nor fear.  Bring these assembled the strength to do what we must with the courage and righteousness of the just.  Give us favorable winds to send us into the face of uncertainty."
 
You exclaim, "The spilling of blood will bring forth the Children of Drogor. The Fete of Sharks is begun, and the Anlas of Feasting is upon us! Pull forth sweetest claret from the legions of man, O Mighty One, and be well Pleased!"
 
You exclaim, "My Brothers and Sisters, your time is now! The Lord of Storms is with us! Raise your voices in prayer! Show the Mighty One your ardor!"
 
(Whiteburn gestures wildly toward the assembled crowd, urging them to prayer!)
 
Navesi gazes at you.
 
You throw your head back and howl, "The enemies of Lord Drogor shall drown as the sharks tear them apart limb from limb, and their blood shall feed the lightless depths!"
 
You exclaim, "Now, everyone, ere any vestige of the profane can gather in force to thwart us! Lift your voice in prayer unto the Mighty One! Praise the Triumvirate of the Storm - Eluned, Lemicus, Drogor! Bolster the storm in thunderous accordance! Let all of Reshalia hear our ferocious joy!"
 
Mazrian kneels down and begins to pray.
 
You throw your head back and howl!
 
Navesi throws her head back and howls!
 
Navesi yells, "For Drogor!"
 
Rileos says to Mazrian, "Got the guns workin, coverin Whiteburn for the altar."
 
You exclaim, "Clerics, harness the mana streams! Infuse the ground, the air, the rocks with holy energies! Make way! Make way for Drogor!"
 
Zynell gazes at a basalt shrine carved into the shape of a turtle.
 
(Solitudines presses his shark's tooth against Drogor's new shrine. A shiver runs through him.)
 
You zealously exclaim, "Lord of Storms, Almighty Drogor, hear me! We call upon Thee with offerings of blood, of holy energies, and of the soul! To pique Thine appetite, we present this boon - a chalice overflowing with the prayers of the faithful! By its side, a banquet of heretics and traitors! Drink deep this draught, eat well, and exult!"
 
You sling a stormy cobalt Drogorian ceremonial trident off from over your shoulder.
 
You hold a stormy cobalt Drogorian ceremonial trident high into the air for all to see.
 
(Whiteburn raises her other hand skyward in a hieratic gesture of invocation. She throws back her head and roars into the sky!)
 
Navesi loudly exclaims, "In Drogor's name do we spill blood today. Welcome, He of the thirst, to this Isle, where we will sate you with rivers!"
 
You wildly exclaim, "Grace us with Your blessing, Mighty One! Come upon us, within us, around us, beyond us! Basalt is Yours! Take hold of this wretched husk and infuse it with Your Wrath!"
 
The wind begins to intensify, thunder crashing in the distance.  A heavy rain barrels down from the sky, and clouds cluster about the island, and the water becomes dangerously choppy, sending the galleon lurching as it moves steadily along the rocky beaches.  Undeterred, you watch as skeletons crawl across the jagged basalt rocks.
 
Rileos approaches the basalt shrine, kneeling briefly within the dry ring surrounding it.  After praying to the Immortals to maintain the serenity of this place, he steps away from the shrine.
 
Navesi washes the shrine with a handful of the nearby water.
 
Kolja says, "Any Clerics... seems you can pray to shrine."
 
You laugh in maniacal glee!
 
Elizzibiana says, "Anyone can pray to it."
 
The storm intensifies, and swells now force themselves against the shore, dragging countless undead to sea.  Not to be outdone, a column of acrid smoke continues to drifts upwards from the manor at the top of the island, and swarms of winged banyakea visibly take to the sky.  From the assembled fleet, teams of Warrior Mage stoneshapers and Gnomish engineers stand ready.
 
You laughingly exclaim, "I feel it... Drogor's rage is upon us! Welcome it, savor it, be buoyed by it! The power of the divine courses through us!"
 
Karturis says, "This aint working like it should  Mlady."
 
A deep churning can be heard in the darkness beyond the ledge, the land shifting and waters battering stone.  You sense the movement of massive beings in the depths, but cannot see their shape or form.
 
You throw your head back and howl!
 
Khoheke reverently says, "Lemicus, grant us your comforts at this, our most desperate hour.  Sanctify this ancient place, that we may reclaim this island in the name of the Thirteen."
 
Purnay studies the area, intently looking for signs.
 
Khoheke gestures for you to join him.  You believe you can PRAY to the shrine or CLEAN it to aid in the consecration.
 
You wildly exclaim, "The Children of Drogor awaken! Hark, the waters twist and thrash with Their wrath! Their hunger!Let all defilers drown in the depths! Be torn to shreds by the predators of the Ocean, the children of Drogor!"
 
You approach the basalt shrine, unsure of how the Merelew pray to Aluna.  Kneeling for a moment, you settle yourself before the shrine, quietly whispering a devotional passage.  Though your words are not specific to Aluna's will, your meaning appears clear enough as you utter a quiet plea to the Immortals to maintain the serenity within this cave below this cursed island long forlorn by the Immortals.
 
You believe you have been heard, and you have done some good.
 
You exclaim, "Pray at the shrine! Cleanse it with holy water! Show the Immortals that we are with Them!"
 
You begin to wash the shrine using a handful of the nearby water.
 
You believe you have done some good.
 
Rileos says to you, "You safe for the moment?  Got other things to check on and I'll be right back."
 
Navesi reverently exclaims, "May your ocean wash over our enemies, swallowing whole the unworthy flesh! Drogor, we bring you glory and blood!"
 
You say to Rileos, "Go. He is with me."
 
You laugh in maniacal glee!
 
Rileos says to you, "May he be with all of us, shortly."
 
The water that remains in the cavern is pushed away with some degree of force, trickling away from the altar visibly.  Khoheke appears pleased, but continues his plea at the Merelew altar.
 
(Whiteburn waves the trident wildly in the air, laughing in accordance with the storm.)
 
Mazrian says, "Ah, it works."
 
Mazrian says, "Well done."
 
Laxuri says, "I wouldnt miss helping save our world, for the world."
 
Khoheke clearly exclaims, "Drogor, lend us your wrath that we may vanquish those abominations who reside on this forsaken isle!"
 
Khoheke gestures for you to continue your prayer.  You believe you can PRAY and CLEAN the shrine to assist him in sanctifying this place.
 
The water is pushed violently to the edges of the cave, pouring over the ledge into the depths.
 
You wildly exclaim, "May the blood of the profane feed the Ocean's depths! Drink deep, my Lord, and be sated!"
 
Navesi reverently exclaims, "I feel Your spray on my face, Lord! Fill my hair with ocean's salt, my nostril's with the scent of blood. Join us here, on this Isle! Join us and succor us!"
 
Khoheke reverently exclaims, "Eluned, master of the seas, protect us as we seek the knowledge of how to sanctify this cursed place!"
 
You wildly exclaim, "Imbue us with Your rage, my Lord! Your enemies will fall before us! All will know the glory of Drogor!"
 
You throw your head back and howl!
 
With a thunderous *crack*, the shrine suddenly appears more substantial, the waters spiraling around its base stirred by unseen forces.  A high pitched screech echoes throughout the cavern, fading into the depths.
 
Khoheke exclaims, "Aluna, of the Merelew -- I know not how to address you, but I offer these same prayers to you, that you may offer us the same.  Join with our Immortals, and give us protection to rid this island of the damned.  Consecrate this place that the we may secure a foothold in this long-forgotten place!"
 
You feel the Immortals' weight close to your heart, a reassuring hand grips your shoulder, and the fury of the shark's hunger fills you.  You believe you can PRAY and CLEAN the shrine to complete the ritual.
 
You exclaim, "Alune, join you your force to the storm, with Eluned, Lemicus, and Drogor!"
 
You exclaim, "They are with us! We are heard!"
 
The shrine shifts imperceptibly, and rivulets of water stream from the shallow recess on its surface, pouring around its base and snaking along the ground.  The corals and polyps clinging to its side unfurl briefly, blossoming with brilliant blues, greens, and reds, and for a brief moment, the shrine appears vibrantly alive.  You are filled with a profound sense of righteousness, the balance of the ocean's life restored and sanctified.
 
You exclaim, "Continue! Bolster Them with your faith!"
 
[OOC: This cavern is now consecrated.  Should you DEPART in this section of the island, you will return to this cavern as long as it remains sanctified.]
 
Rileos kneels down and begins to pray.
 
Chisul exclaims, "May the Gods help us!"
 
Rileos stands up.
 
Zalinyar exclaims, "Good work everyone!"
 
Rileos asks you, "How goes here?"
 
Ajathaer says, "I did something good."
 
Navesi stands up.
 
Navesi slowly empties her lungs.
 
You say to Rileos, "The deed is done! By the grace of the Immortals, this holy place has been consecrated."
 
You say, "You now stand on holy ground."
 
Zalinyar says, "Way to clean that ichor."
 
Navesi says, "The shrine is consecrated. Drogor breathes here, his nose full of the scent of our enemies."
 
You bow to a basalt shrine carved into the shape of a turtle.
 
Cadhan says, "Now for the rest of the island."
 
Khoheke says, "Good work, everyone.  The blessings of Eluned, Lemicus, and Drogor have been secured."